A moment of reflection during the Last Post before a wreath was laid by the D-Day plaque in Dolphin Quays.
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Adams, attended an Act of Remembrance and thanksgiving on Poole Quay on Friday, the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.
He was accompanied by veterans of the landings for prayers and the laying of a wreath at the D-Day plaque in Dolphin Quays. The group then made the short walk to the old Lifeboat Museum where they laid a wreath at the US Coastguard plaque. Around 130 people attended the events.
After the ceremonies the mayor and veterans recalled the evacuation of Dunkirk when they visited the old Lifeboat Museum on Poole Quay to see one of only two surviving Surf class lifeboats.
Built in 1938 ‘Thomas Kirk Wright’ was among 19 RNLI lifeboats sent to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of troops on 30 May 1940. Her shallow draft made her ideal for rescuing off the beaches.
She made three trips over four days carrying many troops from the beaches and harbour and rescued survivors from blown-up trawlers.
On the final trip she was loaded with French soldiers when she came under fire from German troops. No one was hit but the ‘Thomas Kirk Wright’ was seriously damaged. After being repaired she returned to Poole for RNLI service.
