The evacuation from Dunkirk on the French coast was hailed in Britain as an extraordinary achievement and the ‘little ships of Dunkirk’ swiftly entered the mythology of wartime brave deeds.
British soldiers wade out to a waiting destroyer off Dunkirk during the evacuation.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk on a destroyer about to berth at Dover, 31 May 1940.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk enjoying tea and other refreshments at Addison Road station in London, 31 May 1940.
Some of the 'little ships' used during the evacuation of Dunkirk being towed back along the River Thames past Tower Bridge, 9 June 1940.
German forces moved into Dunkirk hours after the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Here German officers inspect a memorial on the sea front at Dunkirk.
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The carol singing in full swing on board HMS STEVENSTONE, the First Lieutenant (Lieutenant P W Reid, RN) is playing the harmonium, while the Padre, the Rev C G Gardner, BS, BD RNVR conducts the singing. He is chaplain to destroyers and small craft in the Portsmouth Command and is the only Newfoundland Padre in the Royal Navy. He is 28 and has served 2 ½ years as a padre in Northern convoys, in destroyers and small craft.
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