Return to Dunkirk

After years of neglect, Lucy Lavers was restored in time to take part in the 75th Anniversary Return to Dunkirk. 

In early May 2015 Lucy Lavers left Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, calling at Lowestoft, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Levington, Harwich and Ramsgate.  Here she joined the flotilla of other 'Dunkirk Little Ships, and crossed the Channel to Dunkirk in convoy with them. 

Returning to Dunkirk was an emotional journey. The aim of the voyage was to tell Lucy Lavers' story in each port and to encourage people, especially young people, to learn about the Dunkirk evacuation, and maritime history.  At each port of call, visitors boarded Lucy Lavers, experiencing being on this 1940 lifeboat and feeling the enormity of the events she took part in. More than 200 school children visited Lucy Lavers along her route, many of whom had never before been on board a boat. 

Lucy Lavers’ journey involved a team of volunteer sailing crews, onshore coordinators, and a film crew, all working together along her route to France and back. The sailing crew included local RNLI Coxswains and some crew, keen amateur sailors, and people whose families were at Dunkirk, who volunteered to take Lucy Lavers from port to port.  There was a volunteer-manned travelling exhibition, and commemorative merchandise, onshore in each stopover port.

Take a look at the photographs taken on each leg of the journey, starting with leg 1 here

Find out more about Lucy Lavers' voyage to Dunkirk and back in our news archive here

Help us safeguard Lucy Lavers' legacy for future generations

We are grateful for some support towards returning Lucy Lavers to Dunkirk and back from SCIRA Offshore Energy, MarineStore Chandlers, Interconnector, and EDF