I am sure many of you have seen the recent news and BBC 2 documentaries regarding the recent Dunkirk anniversary, here at Event Design Production we were actually on one of the little ships as it made the crossing a couple of weeks ago.
I arrived in Ramsgate 26th May on a cold and miserable Wednesday, to army vehicles,
wartime songs and the first ever “Dynamo Day”. This was to mark the 70th Anniversary of the evacuation of British soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940. I am very lucky to have a lifeboat that took part in “Operation Dynamo” within my family. It was from Ramsgate that we were due to leave, early the next morning, to cross the channel over to Dunkirk.
Wednesday saw the streets filled with people, who despite the dismal forecast, had come to both celebrate and pay respect to the little ships and those who were part of the evacuations. This was the first year this event had taken place and late afternoon the announcement was made that due to the success of the day, it will become an annual event. Wednesday also saw the little ships briefing, where the itinerary for the next five days was set out. Weather permitting we were set to leave Ramsgate 7am the next morning. The evening ended in a large fireworks display over the harbour.
A very early alarm clock, rain and luckily many cups of tea, were waiting for us Thursday morning as we waited for the radio call to say we were making the crossing. At 7am the little ships left Ramsgate Harbour, many of whom had made the journey to the harbour only the previous evening. 25 of the little ships were assisted by a Royal Navy rating from HMS Collingwood, although our naval friend managed to sleep the majority of the trip! We left to many early risers, family, friends, news crews and general spectators waving us off from the harbour walls. We were also very fortunate to have a Dunkirk veteran travelling on one of the little ships for the crossing.
Being someone who suffers from sea sickness, the crossing was somewhat of a worry, however luckily it was a relatively calm journey. With BBC and SKY news helicopters constantly flying overhead we made our way in formation across, with only one little ship having to be towed across by our accompanying lifeboat. We also had a HMS Monmouth and HMS Raider to join us on the 7 hour trip. Wind swept and very tired we arrived into Dunkirk to people waving from a specially chartered Norfolk Lines ferry, as well as war re enactment people and their army vehicles. There was an air of celebration as the last little ship made it into the lock, with actual Dunkirk veterans being interviewed quayside as we waited to make our way into the marina. Making our way into the marina we were greeted by a large brass band, and more well wishers to wave us in. There was some familiar faces waiting for us, as those who had been part of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships who could not make the crossing on a ship had made it over to see us in. Once we were finally moored in the Basin du Commerce, and no longer rocking, strong drinks were served across the 40+ little ships.
Friday saw a ceremony at the town hall to give out plaques for the ships, this was our 7th, meaning this was our 7th commemorative crossing. In a ceremony with both British and French veterans to celebrate the ships return. The day was full of ceremonies and commemorative trips as half of our crew made the trip first to a small army cemetery in Dunkirk, where children from two Dunkirk schools performed the national anthems of both countries. There was also a wreath laying ceremony upon the main monument within the cemetery. There were a lot of veterans at this ceremony and it was moving to speak to one who was able to point out his brother’s grave as well as many Polish fallen soldiers. As he had been a POW in a Polish camp, he sung the Polish national anthem quietly in front of their graves.
From here we made the trip to Wormhoudt and the memorial site of La plaine au bois and the Wormhoudt massacre barn. The barn was recreated as a tribute to those who had fallen in the massacre and held many tributes to those lost. The ceremony here was to unveil a new statue to mark the site and to place a strong emphasis to not forget what had happened so many years ago. The ceremony was a bringing together of British, French and Czech nationalities as they celebrated not only the evacuation but the strength and bravery of those involved who were keeping the invasion away from the streets and beaches of Dunkirk.
The Saturday saw us out on the open sea once again as the little ships took part in a wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony saw the ships circle around as a HMS Monmouth helicopter dropped a large poppy wreath in to the centre of the formation. There was also a founder member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships and a veteran who usually made the crossing every five years, whose ashes were dispersed in to the middle of the circle.
Once again we made our way back in the Basin du Commerce, once again greeted by crowds of well wishers. The quayside had been dedicated to the evacuation with large display stands depicting the event and more information regarding the little ships. It was nice to see so many people who had just come along, across all of the five days in Dunkirk, just to have a look at the little ships. There was also, by this point, a French news channel stage set up (watching them put this stage together was rather interesting, I really don’t think anything was secured!!). The media coverage then seemed to park themselves quayside and various interviews took place throughout the day.
Due to weather the fleet was unable to make it’s return crossing Monday, so I left Dunkirk by the completely calm method of Euro tunnel Sunday. However, the remaining crew and ships (3 made the crossing back on Monday despite weather) made their return on Tuesday, arriving back in to Ramsgate early afternoon.
Being every 5 years, the Dunkirk return is always a very poignant, emotional, tiring and memorable journey. The 70th Anniversary was no different, although a very enjoyable experience you cannot help but remember those who had fallen and the horror of what the evacuation must have been like. Personally, I feel very lucky to have had the chance to make the returns that I have and although the number of veterans greeting us on the beaches of Dunkirk is getting smaller and smaller every crossing, I hope I am able to make many more Dunkirk returns for years to come.
