Commemorative Return to Dunkirk – 2025

[WelshChris]

My other half will have the privilege of travelling on one of the "little ships" from Ramsgate to Dunkirk on May 21st (weather permitting). Her great grandfather was the captain of the "Lady of Mann" - the Manx steamship that rescued more soldiers during operation dynamo than any other vessel, making multiple trips rescuing over 4000 men.

Does anyone here have any involvement with this event?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Lady_of_Mann

https://www.rtyc.com/on-the-water/cruising-section...

[and31]

My grandfather was in the Royal Navy, his minesweeper HMS Queen of Thanet did four trips to Dunkirk ,also rescuing approx 4000 troops,2000 of which were taken from the stricken LNER liner Prague after she was bombed(according to Wikipedia..)

[aeropilot]

WelshChris said:

Does anyone here have any involvement with this event?

Not any more, used to help with the Dunkirk Veterans Association on the event back in the 90's, but that's over 25 years ago now. My late Uncle (and godfather) came back to UK from France in the Dunkirk evacuation. He was lucky, he was one one of those evacuated in the early stages of the operation.

[Craigyp79]

I didn't know this was happening, living in Dunkerque I'll have to wander down to the marina to see them!

[WelshChris]

Craigyp79 said:

I didn't know this was happening, living in Dunkerque I'll have to wander down to the marina to see them!

Due to arrive late afternoon May 21st - weather forecast looks good.

They'll be heading for the Bassin Du Commerce I think.

[grumpy52]

Lots of photos in the local media of the historic small ships/boats gathering in Ramsgate harbour .
I love to see the historic wooden boats . To me they are far more interesting than modern tuperware tubs or super yatchs

[Riley Blue]

grumpy52 said:

Lots of photos in the local media of the historic small ships/boats gathering in Ramsgate harbour .
I love to see the historic wooden boats . To me they are far more interesting than modern tuperware tubs or super yatchs

My Dad would have loved to have see them. In late May 1940 he was on survivor's leave after HMS Kelly had been torpeded earlier in the month but was recalled to join the crew of a trawler at Ramsgate to go to Dunkirk. Being an explosives expert he was sent ashore to set demolition charges on the army vehicles left behind to deny them to the Germans. Then he caught a boat back to Blighty and went to his next RN ship.

[grumpy52]

This beauty has arrived in Ramsgate

[grumpy52]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AbMeFMYZK/
If this link works it has a few more of the Dunkirk ships

[dhutch]

Steam tig Challenge is also in Ramsgate.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15FHCzqstK/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16BmcQPkf5/

[grumpy52]

Over the years I have chatted to many owners of old wooden boats . They are very different to the owners of modern gin palaces . They come from all walks of life ,backgrounds and classes but they all absolutely love their boats and are happiest when talking about their boats

[grumpy52]

The Medway Queen on her way to Ramsgate today.
Sadly being towed .

[grumpy52]

Ramsgate is getting busy !

[Shar2]

I saw Breda at Penton Hook Marina a couple of weeks ago, beautiful looking and well kept boat.

[dhutch]

Very nice.

[Simpo Two]

This was on the news today. The condition of some of those vessels is stunning; not a poor man's game. By good fortune a couple are owned by descendants of the original owners, which is a lovely bit of family history.

[Smokysour]

grumpy52 said:

This beauty has arrived in Ramsgate

Blue bird of 1938, she's a lovely boat, normally see her around St Tropez during the Med season. My Dad managed to talk our way aboard her when she was in Rotterdam many years ago as he worked at the yard in Goole where she was built.

[WelshChris]

The wife made it to Dunkirk - relatively calm day thankfully but a little choppy in places, especially nearer the coasts (maybe someone can explain why - tides?). A selection of photos here for anyone interested - https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCfUWr

Here's the back story - https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2025-05-27/great-...

A short video I made - https://youtu.be/BPiyaqCl8t0?si=oQ7a0eNwZ7jX5xwS


CJP_7070_1 by Chris Parry, on Flickr