Operation Dynamo took place in 1940 and involved around 850 so-called “little ships” – small craft that sailed across the English Channel to help evacuate more than 330,000 British and Allied troops from Dunkirk.
More than 250 ships were lost during the operation.
A fleet of more than 70 of the original boats involved has been gathering in Ramsgate over the past week, and set off this morning (21 May) for the commemorative 85th anniversary voyage, organised by The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
Local volunteer and former Fujifilm quality assurance senior technician Steve Pankhurst made contact with his old colleagues to ask for help with graphics for the event.
Adam Moore, product manager at Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet Systems, said the business was delighted to support such an important local event, with Fujifilm providing a range of wide-format prints free of charge.
“We’ve produced soldier silhouettes for display in local shop windows and pubs around the harbour, each features a QR code linking to more information about the individuals depicted,” he explained.
“In addition, we’ve printed large panel graphics for the Ramsgate Harbour seafront. Everything was printed using our own Acuity Prime L and Acuity Prime Hybrid printers.”
Fujifilm produced 25 soldier silhouettes and 30 2,440mmx1,220mm reusable panels printed onto aluminium composite for robustness.
The panels feature five separate designs by the charity Standing with Giants, which specialise in military-themed commemorative installations.
Pankhurst said he was delighted that his former colleagues were able to help.
He commented: “This is a significant anniversary of a historic event of huge significance for our town and for the nation. We’re grateful to Fujifilm for helping us to present it in the best way possible.”
Pankhurst explained how the graphics have been deployed: “We have 19 shops and pubs displaying soldier silhouettes around the harbour area and High St, as well as places like the Navy Club, Royal Thames Yacht Club and Ramsgate Railway Station. On these images are QR codes through which people can learn the story of the evacuation.”
The series of graphic panels are displayed around the harbour and along the route of the Civic Parade, which took place on 20 May as part of the commemorative events.
“The panels show a visual representation, over five images, of the troops queuing on the beaches, getting into the boats, crossing the Channel, preparing to disembark and finally arriving home,” he added.
“All the images are black and white except the final 'Welcome home' image, which has colours in the wording representing the colours of the ribbon on the Dunkirk medal, the medal given to all who took part in the evacuation.”
A Royal Navy guard of honour of seven P2000 fast patrol boats from the RN Coastal Forces Squadron, as well as RNLI boats, is accompanying the flotilla, which is expected to arrive in Dunkirk at around 4pm local time.
The boats will return on the afternoon of 26 May, weather permitting.
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships’ historic timeline of events, states that the majority of vessels used in Operation Dynamo were requisitioned by the government, and some were taken without the owner’s knowledge.
A small percentage were sailed over by owners themselves as they volunteered for the rescue mission.
The rescue operation turned what would have been a military disaster into a story of heroism which served to raise the morale of the British.
Fujifilm’s Broadstairs facility is a centre of excellence for R&D and manufacturing of inkjet, screen and flexo inks, and is also the global headquarters for the manufacturer’s Wide Format Inkjet Systems Business.
