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.     

At Ramsgate, Endeavour was joined by Leigh News reporter Mark Insull, who has also joined the Trust. You can read his story for Leigh News here: leigh-on-sea.news/voyage-to-dunkirk/. 

On the 20th May, there was a full programme, with a parade through the town and harbour front, culminating in a service of remembrance in the Sailor’s Church. The event also encompassed unveiling of the refurbished Operation Dynamo memorial and the dedication of a bell from the paddle steamer Crested Eagle, which sunk off Bray Dunes beach east of Dunkirk in May 1940. 

Endeavour left for Dunkirk at 06:00, Wednesday, 21st of May. Despite the early hour, there was an enthusiastic crowd to wave the flotilla off, which was escorted by Royal Navy fast patrol vessels, the Ramsgate RNLI Lifeboat, and support vessels. 

While weather conditions were generally decent, there was still a reasonable swell to add a little spice to the crossing. However, the journey was generally uneventful, save for some boats in the flotilla having to make a detour to avoid a migrant boat that was being monitored by a French Naval vessel. 

The boat arrived at Dunkirk just before 5pm local time, and was welcomed by an applauding crowd and a Scottish military band. There was then a three hour wait to get through a lock before the boat could finally dock.

Endeavour was originally expecting to return on Monday, 26rd May, but amid predictions of worsening weather, 21 boats decided to return on the Friday. Many of the ADLS boats are riverboats whose shallow draft—essential during the Dunkirk rescue for getting close on the beaches—is not ideal in a rough Channel.

In the end, just two boats decided to make the journey. Friday’s sea was too rough and the decision was made that Endeavour would remain in Dunkirk until the following weekend.  

Entering Dunkirk

This did mean that, as per the original plan, Alan and Cameron were able to attend a ceremony where all the boats were awarded a commemorative plaque. They, plus Bill, also attended a reception for ADLS and the Royal Navy in the Town Hall, presided over by the Mayor of Dunkirk. Prince Michael of Kent, the ADLS Honorary Admiral was in attendance. The reception was excellent, though one member of the party had too much finger-food and had to retire early…  The crew also attended a memorial service on Dunkirk beach.

Only Alan was able to stay in Dunkirk longer than originally planned, and the rest of the crew made their way back to England via other routes. Alan was fortunate enough to secure a berth on the Thames barge Greta. Crews pay for their own accommodation and food when on such trips, so this was a welcome alternative to an large hotel bill.

Fortunately, the weather the following weekend was good enough to make the return, and with Andy Lewis, Justin Hitchcock, Robin Tothill and Bill Shirley rejoining Alan as crew, Endeavour was among 40 vessels travelling back in convoy. The journey was a long one as they were tied to the speed of the slowest vessel to ensure that everyone got back safely. This requires constant vigilance as each boat has vessels fore, aft, port and starboard. All the crew had a spell on the tiller. As the speed of other craft is constantly changing around you, sustained attention is required to stay in formation.

There was no formal ADLS wreath laying service this year, so the Trust decided to source its own to lay in memory of those lost on Renown. The laying took place on the return journey to Ramsgate.

A large crowd greeted the ADLS flotilla on its return to Ramsgate, which surprised Endeavour's crew - they had thought that being a week late, it would be much more modest. The event was covered by Sky News, whose broadcast featured Endeavour front and centre. Despite telling the film crew all he really wanted was a beer and some food, Alan agreed to be interviewed and gave a short account of how the boat was able to operate close into the breaches, ferrying men to the larger vessels. While the broadcast version didn’t feature the entire interview as filmed, Alan gave an excellent account of himself and the boat, and his pride at being involved in the memorial was obvious. The video is available here: news.sky.com/video/share-13377548.

Off Bell Wharf - nearly home!

The return journey from Ramsgate to Leigh was very smooth until Endeavour turned the Northforeland and headed up the Thames estuary. The wind freshened directly on the nose, making for a lumpy passage to Leigh, with a lot of spray. 

Bill was praised for his ability to produce cups of tea and bacon and cheese rolls, which is no mean feat when the boat is jumping about that much. Endeavour finally returned to port at Leigh Marina on Sunday 1st June, a job well done.

The Trust would like to thank Mike’s Boatyard for servicing Endeavour’s engine at no charge, and Osborne Bros for their donation of the AIS system and a new plotter (see article here).

All in all, a very worthwhile trip, despite the weather-induced complications!