Back to the Beaches - Dunkirk 2025

Endeavour has recently returned from Dunkirk where she took part in the memorial events marking the 85th anniversary of the evacuations. This was the first return for ten years due to the interruption of Covid in 2020, and it also marks the first time that there would be no veterans present. 

Endeavour left Leigh on Monday, 19th May, for Ramsgate, where it assembled with the sixty six other Little Ships in the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships flotilla. On board were skipper Alan Barttram, mate Andy Lewis and a crew of Cameron McGregor,  Carl Pullen,  Justin Hitchcock,  Robin Tothill and  Bill Shirley.   

Harold Graham Porter

When Renown hit a sea mine in the early hours of 1st June 1940, four men lost their lives. They are commemorated on the memorial in St Clements' Churchyard. Three of them-skipper Harry Noakes, engineer Frank Osborne and deckhand Leslie 'Lukie' Osborne-were cousins, all part of the Osborne family that continues to fish from Leigh to this day, and whose descendants Andrew and Graham Osborne became joint presidents of the Trust in 2024.

The forth was Harold Porter, and he is often assumed to be another Leigh man. He was actually a naval rating that was assigned to Renown when she reported to Southend Pier for duty in May 1940, and could easily have not gone to Dunkirk. Born in West Bromwich in 1921 to Sidney and Mabel Porter, Harold Graham Porter's father was a jeweller. Between 1934 and 1938, Harold attended the prestigious public school Malvern College, but apparently was not particularly academic as a quite blunt report of his death in the school journal records.

Track Endeavour in Real Time

You can now track Endeavour in real time when she’s out and about - Endeavour now has AIS fitted which allows you to find her when she's out and about, though, of course, she will mostly be in home waters.

AIS, or Automatic Identification System, is a maritime navigation safety communication system that allows vessels to broadcast their position, speed, and other data to other vessels and shore stations using VHF to exchange data, helping to prevent collisions, track ships, and improve maritime traffic management.

You can use a website such as https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/232037974 (other trackers are available) or download an app for your phone to keep track of her. 

Endeavour's call sign is MJXW6, and her MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is 232037974, which you will need to distinguish our Endeavour from all the others (though the link above will take you direct to her)! 

Return from Dunkirk BBQ Evening

The Trust is delighted to announce an evening to formally welcome Endeavour back from her trip to the 85th Dunkirk Memorial events in France to take place at Osborne Bros on Billet Wharf at 7pm on Thursday 17th July. Tickets are priced at £32 each.

There will be a talk about the trip by members of the crew, and many stories of what happened at Ramsgate and Dunkirk, and a first rate barbecue menu. We are expecting Endeavour to be on her mooring in full view.

Menu:

To Start
Sourdough baguette, Seaweed Butter or plan butter

Main Catch - choice of:
Piri piri prawn skewers
Cajun salmon & spring onion skewers
Tuna terriyaki skewers
Lemon, garlic & chicken skewers
Salsa verde, halloumi & summer veg skewers

All skewers served with side salad and ziggy fries, seasoned with seaweed salt.

To Finish
Biscoff baked cheesecake

For tickets and dinner choice please contact:

Chris - droggy39@gmail.com or 07909 189746
Cameron - cameron94uk@yahoo.co.uk or 07711 847898