On 21 May 2025 the 1934-built Dunkirk Little Ship Llanthony was presented with a broad pennant to fly at the mast and engraved brass plaque as one of National Historic Ships UK’s (NHS-UK) Flagships of the Year for 2025.
In attendance at the ceremony was HRH Prince Michael of Kent, and the pennant and plaque were presented to Llanthony’s owner, Ross Ahlgren, by Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; and NHS-UK Council of Experts member and Royal Museums Greenwich Curator of the Ship Model and Small Boats Collection, Simon Stephens.
The flag was raised by Stephen Dennett from the family-owned Dennetts Boatyard, which completed an award-winning restoration of the vessel last year.
One of four very different historic vessels awarded Flagship of the Year status by NHS-UK, Llanthony was built by the famous yacht designers Camper & Nicholson in 1934 and once owned by Lord Astor.
She saved 280 lives at Dunkirk, and her 20 year old commander was awarded the Navy’s Distinguished Service Cross. An award-winning restoration was completed last year by Dennetts Boatyard, Chertsey.
Llanthony is part of a flotilla of more than 70 Little Ships on their way from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. The 85th anniversary fleet departed Ramsgate early in the morning on 21 May and arrived in Dunkirk around 4pm local time.
