What was the Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ Connection to Chiswick?
Chiswick Pier Trust talk by Andrew Krok-Paszkowski will reveal all
The story of the Dunkirk Little Ships that helped to rescue members of the British Expeditionary Force from France has gone down in history as a defining moment of the Second World War but not many people know there is a Chiswick connection.
More than 700 private boats sailed from Ramsgate to Dunkirk between May 26 and June 4, 1940, and participated in rescuing over 338,000 trapped Allied soldiers
The next talk in the series run by the Chiswick Pier Trust on 28th February will reveal some fascinating information on the local connection with the rescue including; the role of the Princess Freda ( the Thames river cruiser that gives free boat rides each year at the Chiswick Pier Trust’s Party); how local sea scouts contributed to Operation Dynamo; and what connects the SS Titanic with the Dunkirk evacuation?
The talk will be given by Andrew Krok-Paszkowski, a Chiswick resident who became fascinated with the Little Ships of Dunkirk after reading a brass plaque on a cross channel ferry in 1982 which identified the ferry as having taken part in the evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk. Andrew, who is an engineer and who lives near the river in Chiswick, will also reveal a personal, as well as local connections, to the evacuation.
Afterwards nearby restaurant Pissarros will offer a discount at the bar on presentation of tickets from the talk.
Doors open at the Pier House at 7pm and the event will start at 7.30pm. Free to Chiswick Pier Trust Members, £3 to non-members. Chiswick Pier and Chiswick Pier House are at the end of Corney Road and Edensor Road, Chiswick, W4 2UG. Refreshments will be available. The talk is part of a series organised by the Chiswick Pier Trust, a charity that puts people in touch with the River Thames.
For further details on events at the Pier and how to get there, contact Chiswick Pier Trust 020 8742 2713 or log on at www.chiswickpier.org.uk
February 21, 2012