Vere was constructed for the Admiralty in 1905 and is believed to have served as an Admiral’s steam barge. Although circumstantial evidence suggests she may have been assigned to HMS Dreadnought, definitive proof such as serial numbers has not been located.

In 1923, Captain Bernard Fray purchased the vessel and commissioned a conversion into a “Gentleman’s yacht” at W.H. Everton’s yard in Worcester. This extensive and lavish refit, detailed in the October 1925 issue of The Motor Boat magazine, included the addition of sails alongside two petrol engines of unequal power, and raising the deck by 2 feet 6 inches to improve headroom. The original strong and seaworthy hull was retained, featuring 3½ inch by 5 inch solid oak frames planked with double diagonal teak. A teak and mahogany superstructure was added to enhance cruising comfort, and steel-covered rubbing bands were installed to protect the vessel when passing through locks.

The interior comprised three cabins lined with tapestries, providing comfortable sleeping, cooking, and washing facilities for six people. The after deck offered space for lounging in deck chairs and launching a mahogany dinghy from davits. The propulsion system consisted of a 25/30 hp Sterling engine and a 10/12 hp Universal engine, supplemented by a 2 hp generator. For additional safety, the vessel was rigged with a foresail, a gaff-rigged main sail, and a small mizzen, totaling 195 square feet of sail area. Captain Fray also added a 98 square foot square sail for running before the wind. The 1925 magazine described the vessel as “fitted out regardless of expense.” The name Vere was chosen by Captain Fray as a tribute to his wife, Vere Croxhall Fray.

In July 1936, ownership passed to William Charles Gatward Metcalfe and his business partner Stanley Hillier. The vessel was berthed at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex. In August 1939, Vere was requisitioned by the Admiralty for Air Raid Precautions (ARP) duties, possibly involving mine-hunting operations in the Thames Estuary. In May 1940, William Metcalfe personally skippered Vere on multiple voyages to Dunkirk, participating in the evacuation and credited with rescuing 346 British and Allied troops.

Following World War II, Vere changed hands several times and spent over 40 years as a houseboat on the Chichester Canal. One owner, N. Perfect, a schoolmaster who inherited the vessel from his father, discovered two German machine-gun bullets embedded in her timbers during restoration work.

In October 2006, Vere sank in shallow water due to significant water ingress through the outer hull. She was subsequently raised by the Receiver of Wreck and was nearly dismantled before a group of maritime enthusiasts intervened, relocating her to the Isle of Wight.

As of July 2012, Vere was undergoing comprehensive restoration at J Samuel White’s shipyard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, believed to be her original place of construction. Ongoing research continues to reveal new information about her origins, the 1924–25 conversion, and William Metcalfe’s ownership during 1936–1942, including his role in the Dunkirk evacuation.

During restoration, many original 1905 fittings were uncovered and remain intact. These include a one-third of a ton brass rudder, cable steering sheaves, a brass wheel, brass cleats and fairleads, a wrought iron stern frame, bronze date-stamped lifting eyes, most of the oak frames, and the double skin diagonal teak construction. Notably, the skylights indicate that the vessel was built as an Admiral’s barge rather than a steam pinnace or armed picket boat. These original elements were reused during the 1924–25 conversion. The majority of the internal furnishings and superstructure from that period have also survived and are planned for refitting.

The restoration aims to return Vere to her 1940 condition, supported by a comprehensive set of photographs from the 1950s, twelve years after Dunkirk. The work is being conducted meticulously using traditional methods and materials wherever possible. Upon completion, Vere will serve as a mobile educational memorial to Dunkirk, touring South Coast ports, the Thames, and the Medway. The initial audience will be junior school pupils studying World War II and Dunkirk as part of the National Curriculum.

Vere’s extensive history, including service in both world wars, provides a valuable and inspiring foundation for educating future generations about the extraordinary events of May and June 1940.