A PLAQUE to commemorate the bravery of Burnham men who risked their lives to save 600 soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk will be unveiled this evening.

On Wednesday around 30 people gathered at the War Memorial in Burnham in bright sunshine to commemorate the bravery of the town’s Dunkirk heroes by the unveiling of a blue plaque.

Nick Skeens of Burnham Town Council welcomed guests including the visiting Dunkirk Little Ship Papillon which had arrived in Burnham Yacht Harbour to honour the town’s Dunkirk Little Ships.

On May 30, 1940, ten men set off from Burnham to Dunkirk in northern France, where Allied armed forces were surrounded by the Nazis, facing almost certain death.

The men boarded four boats, the Seasalter, Vanguard, Ma Joie and Chantecler, and saved hundreds of lives.

At the ceremony, the Honorary Chaplain of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, the Reverend Gordon Warren, who had come to Burnham especially for this moment, then led a thanksgiving and memorial service, including a description of that day 78-years-ago and the roles played by the crews of the Vanguard, Seasalter, Ma Joie and Chantecler.

After the national anthem was sung, Burnham deputy mayor Louise Pudney removed the red ensign concealing the blue plaque.

The words on the plaque read: “This plaque honours the men of Burnham-on-Crouch, who, on 30th May 1940, risked their lives to rescue hundreds of soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk.”

The crowd then moved to the council chamber for drinks and nibbles.

Nancy Crisp, daughter of Ken Whiting, skipper/engineer of the Chantecler, had managed to track down the boat in Holland, where it has been restored and is now owned and sailed by Tom Van Veen.

Janet Brasted, granddaughter of Albert Grimwade, skipper of Vanguard, was handed a letter by resident David Hopkins, who recently paid for the return of Vanguard to Burnham.

Janet spoke about her grandfather’s regret that the Burnham boats had limited room and that he had had to leave so many soldiers behind.

Kathleen Warnes, the daughter of Len Salmons, Skipper of Seasalter, described her father as a quiet and unassuming man. She said: “If he were here at this ceremony he would say, ‘What’s all the fuss about? I was only doing my duty.’”

The event was organised by Nick Skeens and Bob Calver of BTC, and teacher Alan Bellchambers, with help from council staff, Jennifer Donnelly of the Burnham Museum and resident Ally Barton.