As we approach the anniversary of Dunkirk I am reminded of my husbands determination to keep the little ships afloat.
Some of the small boats returned more than once to take off those stranded on the beach. The courage of the people involved was extraordinary and is celebrated every year by a return.
My husband David had bought one of the little ships and made it sea worthy again after it had fallen into disrepair.
We have a painting of it in the house.
There is a society formed to rescue any little ship that has fallen on hard times. David was its commodore and his ship Wanda made the return every year. They bought old, sometimes rotting boats to rescue them and return them to their old strength and beauty.
As commodore David led the small flotilla across the channel every year, crossing the route of many much bigger ships. Keeping them all safe was his main concern.
There is a wonderful photograph of him with the Duke of Edinburgh preparing for the crossing.
Prayers were said, rose petals strewn , thanks given for all those brave people who undertook this extraordinary rescue.
The little ships will set sail again this year I'm told...my prayers go with them...
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2 comments:
We often forget the courage of those who operated the small boats that saved so many lives, many of whom also died. This event, probably saved the war effort as the troops who were saved, enabled us to defend our shores and to form the nucleus of the new armies that were found to fight on. A disaster in France for the BEF but a glorious story of survival and winning in the longer term.
And from small ports all over England: from your far West to our far East, where I think we have two still afloat at Leigh. Men who had never been under fire and one who'd never been out of the Estuary, going into Hell to save life.
God honour them x
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