ONE of the legendary Little Ships of Dunkirk, which sailed from Poole to rescue British and French soldiers trapped on the beaches during World War Two, has been restored.

The motor yacht Rakes Retreat, discovered in Ramsgate in a poor state, has been restored to its original glory by owner Anthony Billson.

Anthony's brother-in-law Michael Hawkins – who is a member of Poole Maritime Trust – has helped with research into the history of Rakes Retreat.

Michael said: "She was named Estrellita and in 1939 the vessel was then owned by Lewis Clayton a retired canal carrier from the midlands.

"Lewis was living aboard and in the 1939 register was moored on Salterns Dock.

"In May 1940 Estrellita was summoned with other vessels by the then Senior Royal Naval Officer Poole Commander Cosmo Hastings RN to assist in Operation Dynamo the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Dunkirk.

"On return from Dunkirk the vessel had the rest of World War II as a harbour patrol vessel in Poole Harbour."

Operation Dynamo, which took part between May 26 and June 4, 1940, helped rescue more than 336,000 troops, who had become pinned down on the beaches at Dunkirk by the advancing Germans in the early stages of World War II.

The Little Ships consisted of around 850 private boats, which were smaller craft with a shallow draft, enabling them to navigate in the shallow waters off the French coast.

They were mainly manned by Royal Navy officers, but some were manned by their owners.

The restoration of Rakes Retreat has taken four years.

Michael said: "During the restoration Tony discovered the base plate for the machine gun fitted to the Foc ‘sle (forecastle)."

The flotilla of small ships travelled from around the country and gathered at Ramsgate, from where they set sail for Dunkirk.

Among them were fishing boats, lifeboats, pleasure craft, barges, privately-owned commercial vessel and pleasure steamers.