Nineteen RNLI lifeboats played their part in the historic Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940. In 1990 some of those lifeboats, now long retired from active service, returned to commemorate the occasion accompanied by a representative of the current RNLI fleet, Duke ofAtholl the latest, and last, Arun class lifeboat. Among the flotilla of historic little ships which returned to Dunkirk for the 50th anniversary of the evacuation were seven ex-RNLI lifeboats - Dowager (ex Rosa Woodd & Phylis Lunn), Tyne Star (ex Louise Stephens), Stenoa (ex Cecil & Lilian Philpott), Salvor (ex Charles & Eliza Laura), Cavesana (ex Charles Cooper Henderson), Atania (ex Mary Scott) and Michael Stephens, still bearing the name she bore in RNLI days. Escorting the fleet were three current RNLI lifeboats, the Arun class Duke of Atholl, Dover's Thames class Rotary Sen-ice and the Atlantic 21 at Walmer on feasability trials.

Leaving Dover the fleet met weather and sea conditions much worse than those expected and the escorting lifeboats were soon busy - two boats needing assistance within half-amile of Dover. Throughout the passage fo Dunkirk there were a number of problems and all three lifeboats performed a variety of towing and other tasks.

The Dover lifeboat returned to her station, but the Atlantic 21 eventually ended up in Dunkirk (after refuelling at Dover) and the crew spent the night aboard Duke ofAtholl.

She was escorted back to mid-channel by Duke ofAtholl the following day for a rendezvous with Rotary Service, which took over the escort duty back to the English coast.

A further link with the Institution could be found in L'Orage, another boat in the fleet of more than 70 making the anniversary return, now owned by broadcaster Raymond Baxter, Honorary Admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships - and chairman of the RNLI's public relations committee..