Commemorative Return to Dunkirk – 2025
The Royal Temple Yacht Club are extremely proud to have been invited by the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships to be the official Supporting Club for the Commemorative Return to Dunkirk – 2025.
The ADLS has organised Commemorative Returns to Dunkirk since 1965. Next year (2025) more than 60 Little Ships plan to cross the Channel to Dunkirk from Ramsgate. The flotilla will take Royal Navy ratings and be accompanied by Royal Navy vessels. The Belgian and French will also have military vessels in attendance.
In Dunkirk, the City authorities are planning a number of memorial events to mark this important event in their calendar. The Dunkirk Little ships are planning to sail on the 21st of May. Ramsgate will also host events before the Little Ships sail for Dunkirk. It is hoped that the return in 2025 will attract the same interest and support both in the UK and with our allies in France and Belgium.
Ian Gilbert, the Hon. Vice Admiral ADLS said ‘It is extremely sad that we have had to make the decision to postpone Dunkirk80; a huge amount of work has already gone into the arrangements both here and in Dunkirk, and many hours have been devoted to the preparation of the Little Ships for this Commemorative crossing. It is only the second time we have not sailed since the first return in 1965’. New Quote from Ian
Karen Cox, The Commodore of The Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate said, “We are honoured to have been chosen as the Support Club for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships return to Dunkirk in May 2025”.
Between 26th May and 4th June 1940 about 850 private boats sailed from Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour to Dunkirk in Northern France, helping to rescue more than 336,000 British, French, and Allied troops who were trapped on the beaches during the Second World War.
The year before, in 1939, the Royal Temple Yacht Club had been requisitioned, along with other buildings in Ramsgate, by the Royal Navy as the shore-based H.M.S Fervent. When the preparations began for the retreat, the naval personnel swelled to 650, under the command of Captain W.R. Phillimore. He was tasked with making all provision for the assembling and maintenance of all the small naval and civilian vessels, which soon descended on the harbour. The vast majority of these vessels were to become the famous Little Ships.
We are proud that this part of our history is coming full circle as we support ADLS to prepare for the 85th Return to Dunkirk.”
For further information please contact:
RTYC
Chris Cox
RTYC Dunkirk 2025 event coordinator
Please click on the link below in order to register your boat for berthing for this event.
