The remarkable role played by the island in the evacuation of troops stranded at Dunkirk in 1940 was commemorated at the Mona’s Queen anchor memorial service on Wednesday.

The evacuation of 340,000 allied servicemen from the French coast in 1940 involved eight Steam Packet vessels, which between them rescued an estimated 25,000 troops while under fire from German forces.

Steam Packet vessels Mona’s Queen, King Orry and Fenella were lost at Dunkirk within 24 hours around May 29. Mona’s Queen hit a mine and sank - with the loss of 24 men - during the heroic evacuation. The ship’s anchor had become detached from the vessel, so was not part of the war grave, and could be lifted off the sea bed and the operation to retrieve it was carried out in 2010 and it returned to the island in October 2011.

Captain Andrew Douglas spearheaded the raising of the anchor, after his death in January 2010 the reins were taken up by Captain Hamish Ross, who died in April.

Captain Jack Ronan, whose two uncles were serving on board when she was hit at Dunkirk, along with Terry Kelly - whose father Paul died on the ship and himself died two years ago - fought to site the anchor at Kallow Point in Port St Mary.

They argued it is a suitable spot for contemplation (unlike the alternative on Douglas promenade teeming with bikers each anniversary) also many of the crew came from the area. The site, a memorial to all Steam Packet personnel lost in conflict, draws many visitors with a personal link to the evacuation.

They were vindicated said Captain Ronan, who was speaking after Wednesday’s service. ’Port St Mary is the better place. For the remembrance it creates.’

Wet and cold conditions meant Captain Ronan, who is 90, was unable to attend the service, but he sat it out at the nearby pavilion, where a reception was held.

’I pulled rank,’ he joked. ’We have been very lucky for eight years and have had fine weather.

’This is the first time it has been bad. Remembering is the important thing. It’s teaching the young generation about what happened.’

Port St Mary Commissioners’ chairman Michelle Haywood welcomed attendees and spoke about events leading up to the Dunkirk evacuation.

’Such ceremonies remind us of the sacrifice and exraordinary courage of these people,’ she said. ’They saved 340,000 troops, if they had lost all those soldiers and experience at that stage we would have lost the war. Two hundred and forty vessels were lost at Dunkirk, planes also. ’

She added: ’It was held in bright sunshine in previous years, this year like at Dunkirk in 1940 it was low cloud - which stopped the Luftwaffe from diving on the troops on the beaches - it was the same conditions. It’s important to keep the memories going.’

Marine superintendant Captain Peter Corrin gave the address.

Plans are being drawn up for next year, which will be the 80th anniversary.

To commemorate the milestone, a dive team from the island is planning to visit the wreck and pay respects on behalf of the Manx nation.

Divers will take a commemorative plaque and flags to the wreck site to mark the sacrifice of the crew.

The team will also conduct video and photographic surveys of the wreck, and the imagery will form part of an exhibition to be held in Port St Mary in May 2020.

The display will include memories, anecdotes and artefacts related to the evacuation and loss of ships at Dunkirk.

To supply material contact the commissioners’ office, phone 832101.