When Kevin Finn, Commodore, Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) and Chris Cox, the Royal Temple Yacht Club (RTYC) Dunkirk 85th Event Co-ordinator, invited me to photograph the 85th Commemorative Return of the Dunkirk Little Ships, I felt that putting together a book on the return would be a good way to honour the endeavour of the people involved. However, I had little idea of how profound the experience would prove to be.
In the days leading up to the departure from Ramsgate, the town was abuzz, and as well as the parades and flypast there were the moving Little Ships Concert and the Operation Dynamo projection. Then came the crossing itself, with 52 Little Ships and accompanying support vessels making the voyage over the Channel, the subsequent commemorative events in Dunkirk, and the moving ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves attended, amongst others, by Prince Michael of Kent.
As I began to research the background to Operation Dynamo, and add sections of history to the book, it became clear to me why people are so proud and passionate about this episode in British history. The role that the Dunkirk Little Ships played lifting Allied troops from the beaches was indeed vital to the victory over Nazism that would later be won.
My book ‘Dunkirk Little Ships 2025’ which also includes B&W images by David Babaian, colour pictures by Mark Stanford and historical material, is available from the Book Shop page of this website for £25 plus postage.
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