Following 2025’s Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the Little Ships returned to Ramsgate for a 4-day extravaganza, including military vehicle displays, parades, workshops and more…
Crowds filled the seafront/harbour area to take part in the 86th anniversary event of Operation Dynamo.
Some 25 of the original Dunkirk Little Ships visited in Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour and the 338 Standing With Giants silhouettes around the Harbour remain in place until 28th June
The stunning projections and a soundtrack telling the story of the Little Ships and the WWII rescue of British and allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk also returned for this year.
Last year the projection took place on the face of the Clock House at the harbour but, due to the building undergoing works, the show was on the move to the cliff face by the Ramsgate Tunnels.
There was live music, a Spitfire replica and 1940s vehicles on display, funfair and a Little Ships parade.
Ramsgate Tunnels hosted RNLI displays and special Operation Dynamo exhibits.
The event also featured rolling film screening of 2025’s Little Ships in Concert, a service at St George’s Church and the Handmade Vintage fair.
The Silent Return – We Are Shadows illuminated procession took place in a deeply moving act of remembrance.
Participants dressed in black stood silently beside one of the 338 Standing with Giants silhouettes, each representing 1,000 of the 338,000 Allied troops rescued during Operation Dynamo.
Moving along the harbour, each figure represented a life, a story, a memory, each a poignant echo of the past. Led by the Queen’s Regiment Association Corps of Drums, the procession symbolised the exhausted troops returning from Dunkirk under the night sky.
Events also included the Sea Cadets Evening Colours Ceremony.
Guests included ‘Winston Churchill’ who was spotted heading up to the Royal Temple Yacht Club.
I recall my mother telling me that during Dynamo, few people in Ramdagte were left with bedsheets. Everyone had torn them up for bandages.