The War and Peace Display Team, part of Rex Cadman’s War and Peace brand, was proud to be invited to take part in the recent Dunkirk Evacuation 75^th anniversary commemorations, providing military vehicles for the five-days of the event.

Having previously organised military vehicles for both the 70^th anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuation and the 60^th anniversary of the Liberation of Dunkirk commemorations for the town, Rex was delighted to be asked again this year.  The War and Peace Display team prides itself on presenting accurate and professional displays, so in conjunction with the Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS), 27 correct period-1940 British vehicles made the trip across the channel, which included 7 motorbikes and the Norton Big 4 motorbike and sidecar from the War and Peace Collection. The group was also joined by the President of the Military Vehicle Trust in his Morris 8 radio car and vehicles from the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group.

As guests of the town of Dunkerque, we were met off the ferry by police outriders and, with a packed programme of events, changed into authentic uniforms before being led into the town to await the arrival of the Dunkirk Little Ships. Sadly it was at this point that the Norton Big 4 decided she wasn’t quite well enough to complete the parades and finished her journey to greet the Little Ships being pushed ignominiously through the streets! However, testament to the camaraderie of the group of military vehicle owners, she was swiftly surrounded by volunteers desperately trying to get her going again – but sadly to no avail!

The following day was Friday and the assorted military vehicles displayed by the Tour du Leughenaer in Dunkerque. Lunch time provided a delightful surprise when one of the few remaining Dunkirk veterans, Garth Wright, came into the restaurant and – with a full restaurant we found him room on one of our tables!  Garth was a superb raconteur and, despite his 95-years was energetic and incredibly lively!

In convoy, we then travelled to the British War Graves Commission Cemetery to display outside the cemetery during the service of commemoration.  Attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO in his official capacity of Honorary Admiral of the Dunkirk Little Ships, the ceremony was attended by WW2 and WW2 Dunkirk veterans, with standard bearers and military and civic dignitaries. Wreaths were laid by Prince Michael and some of the other dignitaries, before Dunkirk veterans Garth Wright, Edward Oates and Arthur Taylor – the latter aided by his two military grandsons – made the pilgrimage to the memorial to lay their wreaths. If you’ve never visited the Dunkirk cemetery I would encourage you – although by a road it is tranquil and peaceful, and very poignant.  Walls bear the names of every one of the known fallen and it is easy to pause for a considerable time in reflection and read the names. Rows of white tomb stones carry the names and ages of hundreds of men and it’s impossible not to be lead from one to the next, silently reading their names.

Following the ceremony two vehicles then transported three of the veterans with a film crew to the beach at Dunkerque to film for a documentary. Once down there they created a moving image of the three - alone on the empty beach, supporting each other as they walked, talking privately of times past and fallen comrades.

From there it was on to the Hotel de Ville for an Official Reception, again in the company of HRH Prince Michael, where the veterans were honoured and presented with commemorative medals. Rex was delighted to be presented with a plaque in recognition of his relationship with the town and as thanks for again co-ordinating a superb group of vehicles.

Saturday morning was the Official Ceremony at the beach in front of the memorial. Wrapped up against the bitter wind, the veterans were again honoured, with wreaths laid here at the place where 75 years previously the scenery was so completely different. With the ceremony over, the veterans took the time to talk to the vehicle owners – and veteran Garth Wright – a wartime motorbiker - excitedly mounted a Norton 16H motorbike and desperately tried to convince the owner to let him have a test ride! Resplendent in a vintage helmet and goggles, laughing loudly, his photo appeared in all the papers!  Garth had ridden a Norton Big 4 and sidecar during the war so was very disappointed that ours wasn’t there – but he would definitely have tried to take that for a spin!  The Norton Big 4 will be at the War and Peace Revival in July so if Garth manages to visit then watch out for him around the racecourse!

Saturday afternoon brought the parade, with our military vehicles leading the way behind the astonishing Dunkirk Veteran, Arthur Taylor.  Supported by one of his grandsons, a Major in the Royal Marines, with the other a Warrant Officer in the British Army pushing his wheelchair, 94 year old Arthur refused to take to the wheelchair and insisted on walking the entire mile route – undoubtedly buoyed by the constant cheers and applause by the crowds. It was a humbling sight to see this proud man walk the route – and proving that memories never grow too old – people were calling their thanks and moving towards him to shake his hand as he walked.

Sunday once again brought bright sunshine and the vehicles displayed along the harbour by the Little Ships. At 11.45am a short drumhead service was held, conducted by the Little Ships’ Chaplain.  Rousing hymns and stirring words were concluded by the Last Post; always a moving end to a service. The military vehicles were then escorted to Digue de Mer to display along the sands, before returning to Dunkerque to attend a reception at the Dunkerque Evacuation Memorial Museum.

For our last day we travelled to De Panne in Belgium, where the vehicles (including our Norton Big 4 and sidecar, unloaded from the trailer!) were displayed to coincide with a service of commemoration. This was the first time that we had been invited to exhibit in De Panne – the officials of the commemorations there were reluctant due to a concern over whether our display would be respectful enough.  However at the end of the day the Organiser was delighted, praising our professionalism and added that the Belgian army had expressed regret that our vehicles had not taken part in their parade.

We spoke with many people during the day, two of whom produced a photo of the same road with abandoned vehicles, taken during the Evacuation.  The calm and landscaped now-pedestrianised precinct was a whole world away from the photo we were shown.

The War and Peace Display team with the Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society, along with members of the Military Vehicle Trust and the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group were proud to have been involved in such a fitting tribute to such a momentous event – and tired but happy we all returned home to download thousands of photos!

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