Guide of Dunkirk
Encyclopedia
The Guide of Dunkirk was a lifeboat
whose construction was funded by the Girl Guides
in 1940. She was self-righting and designed for launch from a beach. As one of the "Little Ships" of Dunkirk she was used in the evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk
in World War II
. Between 1941 and 1963 she was stationed as a lifeboat in Cornwall
, UK. In 1963 she passed into private ownership.
appeal of 1940. Money was donated by Guides throughout the British Empire
from their salaries or, for those too young to work, by earning money doing odd jobs.
The Guide of Dunkirk was built by Rowhedge Iron Works in Colchester
, UK, and was unnamed when she was called into service straight from the builder's yard for the Dunkirk evacuation on June 1, 1940. She had the designation ON826.
and Frinton-on-Sea
, Essex
, under British Naval
command.
On her first trip, she was used to ferry soldiers off the beaches to larger boats waiting offshore. She was badly damaged by machine gun fire and a rope got wrapped around her propeller. She was towed back to England stern first.
On her second trip, she was hit by shellfire and was extensively damaged.
in Cornwall as an RNLI
lifeboat. In 1947 she was named Guide of Dunkirk in honour of her history so far.
In 1963, the Cadgwith lifeboat station was closed and the Guide of Dunkirk was sold into private ownership and renamed Girl Guide.
, Cornwall and has remained in its original condition as when it left service.
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
whose construction was funded by the Girl Guides
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
in 1940. She was self-righting and designed for launch from a beach. As one of the "Little Ships" of Dunkirk she was used in the evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk
Operation Dynamo
The Dunkirk evacuation, commonly known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, code-named Operation Dynamo by the British, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 26 May and the early hours of 3 June 1940, because the British, French and Belgian troops were...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Between 1941 and 1963 she was stationed as a lifeboat in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, UK. In 1963 she passed into private ownership.
Before Dunkirk
The £5000 needed to buy a lifeboat was one of the targets of the Guide Gift WeekGuide Gift Week
Guide Gift Week was a fundraising appeal by the Girl Guides throughout the British Empire in 1940. The United Kingdom was at this time engaged in World War II and much of the money raised was used to help those in the Armed Forces....
appeal of 1940. Money was donated by Guides throughout the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
from their salaries or, for those too young to work, by earning money doing odd jobs.
The Guide of Dunkirk was built by Rowhedge Iron Works in Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, UK, and was unnamed when she was called into service straight from the builder's yard for the Dunkirk evacuation on June 1, 1940. She had the designation ON826.
Dunkirk
At the evacuation of Dunkirk, she made two crossings. Her crew was made up of men from Walton-on-the-NazeWalton-on-the-Naze
Walton-on-the-Naze is a small town in Essex, England, on the North Sea coast in the Tendring district. It is north of Clacton and south of the port of Harwich. It abuts Frinton-on-Sea to the south, and is part of the parish of Frinton and Walton. It is a resort town, with a permanent population of...
and Frinton-on-Sea
Frinton-on-Sea
Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in the Tendring District of Essex, England. It is part of the Parish of Frinton and Walton.-History:...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, under British Naval
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
command.
On her first trip, she was used to ferry soldiers off the beaches to larger boats waiting offshore. She was badly damaged by machine gun fire and a rope got wrapped around her propeller. She was towed back to England stern first.
On her second trip, she was hit by shellfire and was extensively damaged.
After Dunkirk
In May 1941 she was stationed at CadgwithCadgwith
Cadgwith is a village and fishing port in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated on the Lizard Peninsula between The Lizard and Coverack.-History:...
in Cornwall as an RNLI
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
lifeboat. In 1947 she was named Guide of Dunkirk in honour of her history so far.
In 1963, the Cadgwith lifeboat station was closed and the Guide of Dunkirk was sold into private ownership and renamed Girl Guide.
Retirement
The boat is now ashore in MevagisseyMevagissey
Mevagissey is a village, fishing port and civil parish in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated approximately five miles south of St Austell....
, Cornwall and has remained in its original condition as when it left service.