By Press Release
A fund-raising appeal has been launched to build a stone memorial at Newport Quay, honouring the six Isle of Wight small ships that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation during the Second World War.
To mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, organisers hope to raise over £3,000 to construct a cairn made from Island stone. It will be installed near the entrance to Newport Harbour, where two commemorative plaques will be mounted.
The six Island ships, crewed by 16 men from the Island and four from Portsmouth, set off in late May 1940. After arriving in Ramsgate, they were sent to Dunkirk to help rescue Allied troops from the beaches under heavy aerial bombardment. The Island crews successfully transferred soldiers to larger ships and returned safely to the UK. Remarkably, all 20 men survived the mission and resumed their regular cargo duties in the Solent.
A brass plaque listing the ships and crews was unveiled at Newport Quay in 1990 to mark the 50th anniversary of the operation. A new plaque, funded by Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council, has been created to provide historical context for visitors. With planning permission already granted for the cairn, organisers are calling for donations to complete the project and ensure the heroism of the Island’s mariners is not forgotten.
To support the memorial appeal, visit iw.observer/small-ships-memorial.
