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...

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Other Subjects

Opening of the Holloway Fire Station

Building, Armed Forces

1 memorial

J. Walters

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1

1 memorial

C. F. Garcia

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

A. Fisher

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

F. Anderson

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Francis Barber

Born in Jamaica circa 1742/3 with the name 'Quashey' (a common name for male slaves). He was brought to England by his owner, Colonel Richard Bathhurst, and was sent to school in Yorkshire and then...

Person, Friend / family, Race Issues, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial

Brass Crosby

Born Stockton-on-Tees. 'Brass' was his mother's family name. Lord Mayor of London. Lived in Essex Street. The obelisk at St George's Circus names Crosby since it was during his mayoralty that the n...

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration

2 memorials

William Whiteley

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Person, Commerce, Tragedy

3 memorials

Anthony Eden, Lord Avon

Born Durham, Succeeded Churchill as Prime Minister, 1955 - 57. The Suez crisis is considered the low point of a less than admirable term. Died at home at Alvediston, Wiltshire.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial

East India Company

Formed as a trading company but went on to effectively rule India, on behalf of the British. Was involved in the slave trade.

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Indian Sub-continent

5 memorials