Family link to Ghost of Dunkirk

Hastings man Kevin Boorman has strong family ties to the historic Cyril & Lillian Bishop lifeboat which is being restored and brought back to Hastings.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jun 2016, 15:27 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:59 BST

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The boat, which earned the name ‘The Ghost of Dunkirk’ for its role in the war-time beach evacuations, is being restored by Dee-Day White and Tush Hamilton.

The Cyril & Lilian Bishop saved a total of 34 lives during local emergencies at Hastings during the 1930’s after arriving here in 1931, from the boat builders, J Samuel White & Co of Cowes, Isle of Wight in April 1931.

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The lifeboat spent four days and nights picking up British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk.

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Lillian Bishop SUS-160620-115052001

Kevin, who is Marketing and Major Projects Manager for Hastings Borough Council, said: “My ‘Uncle George’ (actually great uncle, my Nan’s brother) was cox of the Hastings lifeboat the RNLB Cyril & Lilian Bishop in May 1940, and took the boat to Dover where he was relieved by a naval crew who took the lifeboat across to Dunkirk.

George Moon’s Dad, and my Nan’s Dad, of course, was Charles Moon, my great granddad, was second cox for 23 years, and served in the lifeboat crew for 35 years.

“My Nan’s middle name was Amy, given to her after a particularly difficult rescue in April 1908 when my great grandmother was six months pregnant with my Nan.

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“The boat was out for 30+ hours, eventually successfully rescuing the crew of a barge called Amy, whom my Nan was then named after.

“I am very proud of my lifeboat ancestry, and am very excited indeed about the prospect of the Cyril & Lilian Bishop coming home.”

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