This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32821805

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Dunkirk flotilla to set sail for 75th anniversary events Dunkirk flotilla sets sail for 75th anniversary events
(about 5 hours later)
About 50 small boats involved in the evacuation of allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in World War Two are to set sail from Kent later to mark the 75th anniversary of the rescue. About 50 small boats involved in the evacuation of allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in World War Two have set sail from Kent to mark the 75th anniversary of the rescue.
The craft, escorted by RNLI and Royal Navy vessels, are heading to the French town for official commemorative events.The craft, escorted by RNLI and Royal Navy vessels, are heading to the French town for official commemorative events.
Operation Dynamo between 26 May and 4 June 1940 saw hundreds of boats of all type rescue 338,000 troops after they retreated from Nazi forces. Operation Dynamo between 26 May and 4 June 1940 saw hundreds of boats of all types rescue 338,000 troops after they retreated from Nazi forces.
A return takes place every five years.A return takes place every five years.
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) has organised sailings across the English Channel since 1970 in honour of the wooden fishing boats, pleasure yachts and lifeboats that took part. The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) has organised sailings across the English Channel since 1970 in honour of the fishing boats, pleasure yachts and lifeboats that took part.
In 1940, their crews had heeded the government's request to help British, French and Belgium troops stranded after a German advance. Historians say if the evacuation had not been a success the allied war effort may have been critically damaged. In 1940, their crews had heeded the government's request to help British, French and Belgian troops stranded after a German advance. Historians say if the evacuation had not been a success the allied war effort may have been critically damaged.
Veterans returnVeterans return
The flotilla will leave Ramsgate Harbour at about 08:00 BST and a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will perform a fly-past. The flotilla left Ramsgate Harbour on Thursday morning, with a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight due to perform a fly-past.
The boats will be escorted by HMS Ranger and HMS Trumpeter, where the ADLS's honorary admiral, Prince Michael of Kent, will be on board for the journey. The boats are being escorted by HMS Ranger and HMS Trumpeter, where the ADLS's honorary admiral, Prince Michael of Kent, will be on board for the journey.
Two veterans of the Dunkirk evacuations will be on the Princess Freda, a 63ft (19m) Thames passenger vessel that ferried soldiers to a waiting navy destroyer. Two veterans of the Dunkirk evacuations are on the Princess Freda, a 63ft (19m) Thames passenger vessel that ferried soldiers to a waiting navy destroyer.
They include 97-year-old Michael Bentall, who served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, and has travelled from Canada for the commemorations.They include 97-year-old Michael Bentall, who served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, and has travelled from Canada for the commemorations.
About 10 other veterans are expected to attend events in Dunkirk.About 10 other veterans are expected to attend events in Dunkirk.
A service at the British Memorial at the Dunkirk Military Cemetery will take place on Friday, followed by a reception and presentation for ADLS skippers at the town hall.A service at the British Memorial at the Dunkirk Military Cemetery will take place on Friday, followed by a reception and presentation for ADLS skippers at the town hall.
The official service to mark the mission will take place at the Allied Beach Memorial on Saturday, and there will be a parade of military vehicles and bands.The official service to mark the mission will take place at the Allied Beach Memorial on Saturday, and there will be a parade of military vehicles and bands.
On Sunday, a memorial plaque will be unveiled to mark the MV Crested Eagle, a paddle steamer involved in the evacuation, which was bombed with the loss of 300 lives. On Sunday, a memorial plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the MV Crested Eagle, a paddle steamer involved in the evacuation, which was bombed with the loss of 300 lives.
The ADLS will also hold a commemorative service on the quayside in Dunkirk next to its boats, which will return to Ramsgate on Monday. They now all carry a plaque awarded by the ADLS and fly its flag.The ADLS will also hold a commemorative service on the quayside in Dunkirk next to its boats, which will return to Ramsgate on Monday. They now all carry a plaque awarded by the ADLS and fly its flag.
Ahead of the sailings, services were held in Ramsgate, at the Sailors' Church and harbour. The Bishop of Dover praised the ordinary people who had manned the "ramshackle fleet" and who answered the call to "serve and save".Ahead of the sailings, services were held in Ramsgate, at the Sailors' Church and harbour. The Bishop of Dover praised the ordinary people who had manned the "ramshackle fleet" and who answered the call to "serve and save".
Aside from Operation Dynamo, two other troop evacuations from France were carried out.
Operation Cycle evacuated Allied troops from Le Havre from 10 to 13 June 1940.
And Operation Ariel was carried out between 15 and 25 June, transporting many thousands of troops to Britain from locations which included Cherbourg, St Malo, Brest, St Nazaire and La Pallice.
Between Operation Cycle and Ariel, some 191,870 troops were rescued.
Do you have family who took part in the evacuations through Operations Dynamo, Cycle or Ariel? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your family experiences or yourpics@bbc.co.uk with your photographs from the time. Read the terms and conditions.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. You can also tweet your stories to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124.