1940

Dunkirk Evacuation

In May 1940, British, French and Belgian troops were cut off on the French coast by German forces and faced death or capture. A hastily assembled fleet of 850 'little ships', code-named 'Operation Dynamo', departed from Britain (many making several return voyages) and rescued over 338,000 British and French troops. The event inspired Winston Churchill's 'We shall fight them on the beaches' speech and gave rise to the phrase 'Dunkirk Spirit' and to the Brits' reputation for turning a defeat into a victory.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Dunkirk Evacuation

Commemorated ati

Charles Lightoller

Commander Charles Herbert Lightoller RNR. DSC* {Between an image of a ship's ...

Dunkirk at Teddington Lock

We've read (Telegraph and This is Local London) that on 9 May 2010 this "worn...

Hurlingham Yacht Club

1922 is the year that the Club took on its current name, though we don't know...

See other memorials in this area

Other Subjects

F. N. B. Bennett

Pilot Officer Frank Norman Bartlett Bennett was born on 30 May 1919, the second of the three sons of Stanley Bartlett Bennett (1885-1966) and Nellie Bennett née Evans (1890-1970). His birth was reg...

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW2

1 memorial

J. W. Hearnden

Member of the staff of A. W. Gamage Ltd and/or Benetfink & Co. Ltd. Killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1

1 memorial

Hy. Tooley

Resident of the Central Ward, Hendon who served and died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1

1 memorial

E. Gordon Brettell

Flight Lieutenant Edward Gordon Brettell DFC was born on 19 March 1915, the eldest of the three children of Vivian Brettell (1882-1949) and Eileen Isabella Brettell née Carroll (1887-1979). His bir...

Person, Armed Forces, Execution, Poland

War dead, WW2

1 memorial

C. Quinn

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Tough Brothers Boatyard

The Boatyard of Tough Brothers, Ferry Road,was at the wharf opposite Teddington Lock. In May 1940 Douglas Tough organised and assembled 100 private boats at that location to join in the Dunkirk eva...

Place, Transport

1 memorial

Kew Gardens

Officially, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. They originated in the garden of Kew Park formed by Lord Capel John of Tewkesbury. They were extended by Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales and further...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

4 memorials

Job. Wheeler

Resident of the West Ward, Hendon who served and died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1

1 memorial