On Sunday, the Redline Home Guard took to the towpaths and pontoons of Henley-on-Thames for the Thames Traditional Boat Festival, maintaining a roaming presence throughout the day despite the unpredictable British summer weather. We weren’t there with our usual static display, but our wartime spirit was on full show, drawing interest from the crowds and sparking plenty of engaging conversations with visitors.
The day didn’t begin promisingly, as soon as we arrived, the heavens opened in true monsoon style. But after a brief 15-minute soaking, the clouds cleared, and we were left with mostly dry skies and only the occasional light shower – perfect for a day of riverside living history.
As we explored the festival, we were treated to an incredible display of boats of all shapes and sizes, from elegant Thames launches to impressive steam vessels. Of particular interest were several of the Dunkirk Little Ships, lovingly preserved and proudly flying their distinctive pennants. It was humbling to see so many of these gallant craft still afloat, each with its own story of bravery and rescue from those dark days in 1940. We also spotted a fantastic vintage van parked near the site – a rugged old beast that immediately sparked ideas for a future Redline platoon transport vehicle. It looked more than ready for action!
The true highlight came when we were approached by the owner of Dandy C, a remarkable wartime vessel with a proud service history. Used as a crew rescue boat during the Battle of Britain, and later one of the brave fleet to take part in Operation Dynamo, ferrying stranded soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, Dandy C is a genuine piece of floating history.
Her skipper, Tim, graciously invited us aboard for a short patrol upriver from Henley Bridge to Temple Island and back again. Sgt Quigley and Pte Smith kept watch from the bow, while Pte Gleave Snr, Pte Gleave Jnr, and 2/LT Chambers manned the stern. With the gentle churn of the propeller and the red ensign flying, it was easy to imagine the same boat once weaving through the chaos of war-torn waters.
All in all, it was a fantastic day – one full of meaningful encounters, historical discovery, and the possibility of something new on the horizon. Could this be the start of a UTP (Upper Thames Patrol) re-enactment branch of Redline? We’ll keep you posted.
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