Lady Isabelle: Vessel History

Lady Isabelle, an open Thames Day Launch measuring 9.15 meters, remarkably survived two Channel crossings in 1940 during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Forces (BEF) and the French Ninth Army. This was largely due to the unusually calm seas over the nine days of Operation Dynamo, during which the disciplined Free French Army held back the German advance. Many small open boats like Lady Isabelle were towed across the Channel by tugs, but numerous vessels were lost, torn apart, or crushed. These boats typically remained near the beaches, ferrying troops to larger British and French naval ships for the Channel crossing.

Records indicate that at least 700 privately owned, requisitioned small craft participated in the Dunkirk evacuation, with nearly 100 lost or abandoned. Despite these losses, approximately 385,000 troops, including over 100,000 French soldiers, were safely evacuated from la plage du Malo-les-Bains. The success of this operation was largely due to the bravery and capability of the "Little Ships," which could approach the shore closely and transport stranded troops to larger vessels.

Lady Isabelle was built by Mr. H. Gibbs of Hampton Wick near Teddington, Middlesex, and was under ten years old at the time of requisition. Equipped with a powerful Gray 6 engine capable of 12 knots, she was suitable for the tidal reaches of the Thames. Originally named Lady Isabelle by her builder, her first owners used her for weekly shopping trips, driven by their chauffeur. Later, she was fitted with a tasselled canopy for summer shade and renamed Templecroft after their home on the Thames. In 1938, Mr. T. Westhead purchased the vessel and restored her original name.

During Operation Dynamo, Stanley Tims of Tims’ Boatyard in Staines, Middlesex, recalled the requisition of Lady Isabelle by the Ministry in 1940. After the evacuation, Lady Isabelle’s fast engine and police-boat configuration, including a small forward cockpit, made her well suited for river patrol duties. She was among the last small boats to return home after the war. Mr. Westhead, who had entrusted the boat to Stanley Tims while he served in the war, was displeased by her requisition without consent and promptly removed her from the boatyard in protest.

In 1960, Lady Isabelle returned to Tims’ yard but was left to sink for six months. She was discovered in derelict condition by George Bailey, who purchased her, added a 4.25-meter cabin for canal cruising, and renamed her Geba. Subsequently, J. Grindley acquired the vessel, kept her on the South Oxford Canal, and renamed her Carfax Free. Robert Cowley later owned her and extensively cruised the British Waterways, earning two Inland Waterways Association Silver Awards. Dr. Cowley established Lady Isabelle’s membership in The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships in 1976.

After the war, Stanley Tims had retained Lady Isabelle’s brass DUNKIRK 1940 plate, releasing it only when he met an owner who valued her history. In 1981, Coventry Boat Builders purchased Lady Isabelle as a restoration project, reinstating her original name. John Richards acquired her in 1987, continuing restoration efforts. Following detailed research, he reconstructed her topsides to Gibbs’ original design and installed a 1934 Gray 6 engine. Lady Isabelle returned to the Thames, moored at Shepperton, Middlesex, located approximately 14 kilometers upstream from her place of construction and 14 kilometers downstream from Tims’ yard.

In 1990, Rosemary and John Richards arranged for Lady Isabelle to be transported back to France. Thanks to the assistance of the Yacht Club de la Mer du Nord (YCMN), she was placed once again in French waters. However, sea conditions prevented her from participating in the parade of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships fleet off la plage du Malo-les-Bains during the 50th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.

In 2000, new owners Diana and Tony Goodhead moved Lady Isabelle from the River Wey at Weybridge, Surrey, through the Thames Lock on the Wey Navigation, downstream to Shepperton. From there, she was slipped out of freshwater and towed to Dover for the Channel crossing back to Dunkirk. The Goodheads expressed gratitude to the YCMN members and staff for their assistance in gently launching Lady Isabelle into saltwater. On 2 June, she joined the main Association of Dunkirk Little Ships fleet for the 60th Jubilee parade off la plage du Malo-les-Bains. Lady Isabelle’s rounded hull and low center of gravity allowed her to cut through the waves with less roll than many cabin cruisers, demonstrating the skill of her original builder.

Following Diana Goodhead’s passing in 2001, she was buried at sea in accordance with maritime tradition. Tony Goodhead has since taken Lady Isabelle on journeys to Tilbury and Lechlade, navigating all 44 locks on the Thames. The vessel continues to be maintained to the highest standards, attending rallies and remaining in active use.