15. Lifesaving in Wartime: John Ray

We shall save them on the beaches: RNLI Archivist John Ray on the Ramsgate crew who braved bombs and bullets at Dunkirk

The sea is daunting enough. But perhaps never more so than in May, 1940, when two RNLI lifeboat crews launched into the Second World War. Joining an armada of 700 ‘little ships’, the volunteers embarked on Operation Dynamo. Evading enemy submarines, bursting shells and raging fires, the two crews ferried 3,400 troops to safety. When people talk of Dunkirk spirit, they are talking about the kind of spirit showed by the lifeboat crews of Ramsgate and Margate. 

Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary efforts in the Second World War in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea, presented by Dermot O'Leary. Search Series 9: Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer or visit https://tinyurl.com/4cryn54u

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI
Interview by Adventurous Audio
Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200