Fleet in Ramsgate for Association of Dunkirk Little Ships 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo
by Mick Gentry 19 May 09:56 UTC
21-26 May 2025
Little Ships moored at Ramsgate Marina © Mick Gentry
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) fleet has sailed from far and wide to reach Ramsgate over this past weekend to gather for the Operation Dynamo 85th Anniversary Commemorative return to Dunkirk.
The farthest travelled is Bluebird of 1938 owned by the Getty family, they left the warmth of the Mediterranean just over a week ago, heading north to play their part in this most noble of maritime events. Little Ships on the Upper Thames were delayed by the weather and have been arriving in staggered groups; the last group reached the sanctuary of Ramsgate's fabulous harbour during the morning of Sunday 18 May. The final arrivals are expected to complete the fleet in the early afternoon today, having travelled from the river Deben in rolling seas with a beam swell from the east.
Sadly, our last known veteran, Telegraphist Duncan McInnes BEM, was taken from his family in the early hours of Friday morning, having lived until the age of 105. He has been a resident in Australia for many years yet did return to join us for a Veterans Cruise on the River Thames in 2011, and the ADLS have kept in touch through his daughter Jane and Son-in-Law Mark, who have kept us informed as to his wellbeing on a regular basis, Mark being a close friend of one of the ADLS crew military veterans. Duncan's passing marks the end of an era and we honour him and all of his brothers in arms; those lost, those captured, and those rescued to continue the fight.
The ADLS will be lowering their ensigns to half-mast at 1330 on Monday 19 May to honour Duncan and the Association will be raising a glass to him, and to all who were involved in Operations Dynamo, Cycle and Aerial in late May and early June of 1940.
The Little Ships are moored in the inner harbour, ready in all respects to take part in events in Ramsgate which began with a band led church parade at 1030 on Sunday 18 May.
This key maritime event honours our military and that of our allies, those that answered the call for help in 1940, and all who served in this most difficult of times, when Britain together with its exiled and rescued allies remained steadfast against the might of the Axis powers, ready to fight to remain free from the dictatorship that was occupying the European continent.
Operation Dynamo in 1940 was a significant step in the defeat of this tyranny the world at the time faced; without Operation Dynamo and the rescue of 338000 Allied troops the fight would have been much more difficult and taken considerably longer to begin. Dunkirk was the first of many actions in the coming years that led to D-Day and the Allies ultimate success in 1945.
Although said of a different event, in Africa in 1942, Churchill's words in these worrying times ring true with Dunkirk also:
'It may not be the end, indeed it may not be the beginning of the end, but it is perhaps the end of the beginning'
Come to Ramsgate, enjoy the events taking place there, witness our voyage's beginning on Wednesday 21 May 0600-0730 and also our voyage's return to Ramsgate, Monday 26 May late afternoon, be a part of this historic event, and provide a taste of all that is happening for your readers, listeners and viewers.
Find out more at www.adls.org.uk