Marking the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, Jodi Smith and Mike Wills need your support to remember the Island men who risked everything.
In May 1940, as the world stood on the brink of defeat, six humble Island motor barges were quietly commandeered from Portsmouth Dockyard. Their mission? To cross perilous waters to Dunkirk and rescue stranded British soldiers under relentless enemy fire.
Against the odds, all 18 brave men from the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth returned home safely, having helped save countless lives in what became known as the “Miracle of Dunkirk”.
Their courage and sacrifice form part of our Island’s extraordinary, yet often overlooked, contribution to this pivotal moment in history.
Honour with a Memorial Cairn
Now, 85 years on, we have the chance to properly honour these local heroes.
A permanent Memorial Cairn – crafted from Island stone and installed near Newport Harbour – has been granted planning permission. This lasting tribute will:
- Refurbish and relocate the original 1990 brass plaque listing the brave crews and their ships.
- Add a new plaque telling the story of the Island’s role in Operation Dynamo.
- Create a place of reflection for generations to come.
Your help is needed
But we can’t do it without your help. We are urgently seeking £4,000 funding to bring this memorial to life.
This is our moment to remember them—not just as names on a neglected plaque, but as ordinary men who achieved something extraordinary.
To donate and support the project, please visit the Give A Little website.
Let’s ensure their story is never forgotten.
News shared by Jodi Smith and Mike Wills. Ed
