Medway Queen Paddle Steamer Centenary - Heroine of Dunkirk

Medway Queen. The Paddle Steamer played a significant role in the Dunkirk evacuation. Poppy stamp and Dunkirk 75^th ann Ramsgate postmark 26.05.15, doubled with 20p DSO Medal & 1st Class Purple QEII stamps and Southend-on-Sea postmark 18.07.24 to mark the Maiden Voyage Centenary. 'Carried Aboard'.

The Medway Queen crew gained seven awards for gallantry – two Distinguished Service Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals and two mentions in dispatches – having made seven crossings and rescued 7,000 men. In view of this remarkable achievement in rescuing so many Allied troops from France, she earned the title of "The Heroine of Dunkirk". After repairs in Portsmouth Dockyard, she returned to minesweeping duties, and in 1942 she was converted to a minesweeping training ship, serving out the war in this capacity, and was returned to her owners in January 1946.