A busy weekend for photographing. The first event was the arrival of a flotilla of ‘Little Ships’ - the boats that travelled to the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 to rescue the soldiers in World War 2. This was their veteran weekend and the boats were travelling from Hampton Court downstream for the last major event of the year before they are ‘laid up’ for the winter.
I did not know the precise time they would be passing through the Lock and sadly it was not that well publicised but it was so impressive seeing the boats come towards the lock en masse’. This is 'L'Orage' (previously called Surrey and built in 1938).
@danette It was a lovely afternoon @bkbinthecity It is a great event but just a bit sad that it was not that well advertised. It was quite moving to see all the veterans in their suits with medals enjoying a pint on deck @shannejw Can you remember the name of your boat? I noted the names of most of them - this is their website which lists all the boats so you might be able to find yours - http://www.adls.org.uk/t1/content/veterans-weekend
This strikes me as a thrilling event and makes me think what it must have been like in 1940 when the little ships really did sail across the channel to rescue so many soldiers. You probably know this poem "To the Seamen" by John Masefield, but in case you don't:
You seamen, I have eaten your hard bread
And drunken from your tin, and know your ways;
I understand the qualities I praise
Though lacking all, with only words instead,
I tell you this, that in the future time
When landsmen mention sailors, such, or such,
Someone will say 'Those fellows were sublime
Who brought the Armies from the Germans' clutch.'
Through the long time the story will be told;
Long centuries of praise on English lips,
Of courage godlike and of hearts of gold
Off Dunquerque beaches in the little ships.
And ships will dip their colours in salute
To you, henceforth, when passing Zuydecoote.
John Masefield
September 16th, 2014
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You seamen, I have eaten your hard bread
And drunken from your tin, and know your ways;
I understand the qualities I praise
Though lacking all, with only words instead,
I tell you this, that in the future time
When landsmen mention sailors, such, or such,
Someone will say 'Those fellows were sublime
Who brought the Armies from the Germans' clutch.'
Through the long time the story will be told;
Long centuries of praise on English lips,
Of courage godlike and of hearts of gold
Off Dunquerque beaches in the little ships.
And ships will dip their colours in salute
To you, henceforth, when passing Zuydecoote.
John Masefield