THE VITAL role played by Teddington's 'little ships' in winning the Second World War was recognised with the unveiling of a plaque on Sunday.

It is nearly 70 years since more than a third of a million British and French soldiers were evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk, where they had been trapped by advancing German troops.

Many of the 'little ships' – a collection of some 700 pleasure boats and yachts which helped ferry troops to the waiting warships during the famous rescue mission – were launched from Teddington Lock.

They included vessels from the family boatyard of Donald Tough, then across the river from the memorial, who within a few days assembled a 100-strong fleet.

Operation Dynamo, as the mission was dubbed, took place between May 26 and June 4, 1940. It was organised in such a hurry one boat was seized while the owner was out shopping, and a dog found on board had to be sent back by rail from Ramsgate with its address posted on its collar.

On Sunday, Prince Michael of Kent, honorary admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, arrived at Teddington Lock aboard Bluebird – one of the boats involved in the evacuation, which was once owned by water speed record-breaker Malcolm Campbell.

Watched by survivors of the little ships operation and members of the Royal British Legion, among others, he unveiled a memorial paying tribute to everyone involved in what wartime leader Winston Churchill described as 'a miracle of deliverance'.

Chris Lodge, of local funeral directors Lodge Brothers, which created the plaque, said: "We are proud to have been able to support the project by donating our craftsmen's time and materials in the production of this magnificent memorial to local history."

Sunday's unveiling also coincided with the 200th anniversary of Teddington Lock, the largest and oldest lock on the Thames.

On May 27, some 50 surviving little ships will recreate the trip from Ramsgate to Dunkirk, escorted by Royal Navy warships, for the the operation's 70th anniversary celebrations, which will feature a flypast of Battle of Britain Hurricanes and Spitfires.