Lieutenancy marks Dunkirk 85th anniversary

Events have taken place across the Lieutenancy to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of thousands of allied servicemen from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War Two.

Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jill Young MBE, planted a memorial rose at the Scottish Maritime Museum in Dumbarton as part of a day of commemoration to mark the events of 1940.

A flotilla of 850 small civilian craft, known as the little ships of Dunkirk, travelled across the English Channel to rescue more than 300,000 troops from the advancing German army over an eight-day period at the end of May that year. The evacuation is widely regarded as one of the most audacious military operations in history.

One of those boats was the Skylark IX, which is being restored after she sank in the River Leven at the end of a varied life, including service as a pleasure cruiser on Loch Lomond.

The vessel spent two years under water before she was re-floated and brought ashore for restoration.

Mrs Young was joined in Dumbarton by dozens of guests, museum volunteers and military veterans.

At the war memorial in Alexandria's Christie Park, a wreath-laying ceremony took place to remember the 3,500 men who were killed during Operation Dynamo.

The Lieutenancy was represented by Colonel Mike Edwards OBE DL and was attended by local dignitaries, politicians and military veterans.

The ceremony was followed by a church service at Lomond Parish Church.