The yachts and motor boats were ‘dressed overall’ as they entered the lock in St Malo (00988004)

MORE than 60 boats of various shapes and sizes sailed from Jersey to St Malo last Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of Islanders’ role in a wartime evacuation of British troops from St Malo.

Decorated with bunting and flags, the fleet – which included two of the original boats which took part in the 1940 evacuation – braved some difficult conditions to make the trip.

On arrival in St Malo there was a formal speech ceremony followed by a more relaxed celebration which Steve Pearl, one of the organisers of the St Helier Yacht Club event, said had gone down well with the 200 or so people who took part.

‘It was a very, very successful day,’ he said. ‘The weather was a little breezy and getting down there was not the easiest for some of the boats but pretty much everyone got there, including the Diana and the Fiona which took part in the evacuation, and the old lifeboat.

‘It was really good and everyone enjoyed themselves. We only do a major rally like this on big anniversaries like the 50th, 60th and now the 70th.’

The event was to mark the anniversary of the ‘mini Dunkirk’ in June 1940 when a number of local yachts, fishing boats and cargo vessels helped to evacuate members of the Royal Navy, troops and others from France in the days after the Battle of Dunkirk.

In honour of the important role the St Helier Yacht Club played in the evacuation, members have been allowed to fly a defaced Red Ensign flag ever since.

• Pictures: Peter Mourant

• More pictures of the event and picture sales: Click here