Six Little Leigh Boats That Made Dunkirk History
Did you know that six humble fishing boats from Old Leigh played a remarkable role in the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation? Discover the bravery of local fishermen who risked everything to help bring stranded Allied soldiers safely home.
DID YOU KNOW? that six little fishing boats from Old Leigh played an incredible part in the Dunkirk evacuation back in 1940? These weren’t mighty warships, just ordinary working cockle boats from our little corner of Essex, heading across the English Channel to help rescue stranded Allied soldiers.
Incredibly, the Leigh boats helped ferry servicemen to larger ships waiting offshore, as well as bringing 180 soldiers directly back to England!
One of those boats, the Endeavour, survived Dunkirk, only to sink during the Great Storm of 1987. Thankfully, she was eventually recovered, restored and brought back to Old Leigh.
Sadly, not all the boats made it home from Dunkirk. The Renown struck a mine, claiming the lives of all four men aboard.
What incredibly brave local fishermen who helped make history.
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