Little Ships head to Ramsgate as they keep memory of the miracle of Dunkirk afloat
More than 338,000 personnel trapped between the sea and the Germans were rescued in the famous Dunkirk evacuation known as Operation Dynamo.
The historic event in 1940 saw 850 small private boats cross the Channel to reach northern France, while under German fire.
Now a small group of Little Ships have been restored and are heading to Ramsgate to replicate the same historic journey on the 85th anniversary.
"The build-up has been going on for nearly 10 years," said Ian Gilbert, the honorary Vice Admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
"Many of them had been expecting to go back to Dunkirk in 2020 [for the 80th anniversary], but because of Covid that didn't happen.
"This will be the first time that we've gone over where there are no veterans. These [the Little Ships] are the veterans sat out here afloat.
"They are the veterans of Operation Dynamo because the living link has now gone. And we have to keep these boats alive to keep that link and to keep that memory of what happened in 1940 alive."
Mr Gilbert explained how much effort is required to keep these pieces of history afloat.
"You know, it's not just the structure of the boat. It's the systems on the boat, keeping the engine serviceable, polishing, filters changed, impellers changed, restoring – all that type of work that continually goes on with an old wooden boat. It's non-stop, really.
"Some of the restorations that have taken place in the last 20 or so years, they have found original damage from the Dunkirk evacuations 85 years ago, damage from bullet holes, from shrapnel. It's quite a big responsibility."
The miracle performed by these small vessels and crews saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
Today, it's hard to find someone who can relate to the emotions of the rescued British and French troops.
Martin Hickman explained: "I'm a Royal Naval veteran. I was actually in the Falklands in 1982, and had the unfortunate thing of being on HMS Antelope when she was hit and eventually sank.
"You know... if you talk to anybody that's been to war, you don't need to talk because you've all had the same sort of experiences.
"I still remember the first time I sat on board [Little Ship] Lady Lou, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
"I just thought what would the people do when they went in to pick up all the troops, their feelings and things and what they went through?"
The plan for these Little Ships of Dunkirk is for around 70 to set sail from Ramsgate on 21 May.
And they'll be escorted by the Royal Navy – on the same route they took 85 years ago.
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