THE historic Endeavour is set to sail up the River Thames to mark the 80th anniversary of playing a key role in the Dunkirk evacuation.

Endeavour was one of six cockle boats in Leigh to be acquired by the Navy to be part of Operation Dynamo, which remains the biggest evacuation in military history.

In late May 1940, the allied forces of British, French and Belgian troops were trapped by the invading German army in Dunkirk, close to the Belgian border.

The desperate and near-miraculous rescue act that followed – controlled from Dover Castle – saved the allied cause in Europe from total collapse.

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On its way - Endeavour joined a flotilla of ships heading for Dunkirk for the 75th anniversary of the biggest evacuation in military history

Little ships, such as Endeavour, played an important role in the evacuation.

Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay, who co-ordinated Operation Dynamo, and his team quickly realised small boats would be able to get closer to the beach and ferry the troops out to the larger ships waiting in the wings.

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At home at Leigh Marina - Peter Wexham next to Endeavour ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation

Endeavour was among hundreds of civilian vessels to answer the Navy’s call for help and crossed the English Channel to France.

The tiny vessels, crewed mainly by volunteers, bravely picked up soldiers queuing on the beaches and in the sea despite coming under attack from German aircraft and artillery.

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Operation Dynamo - Endeavour played a key role in helping soldiers return to England in June 1940

Operation Dynamo lasted from May 26 until June 4, 1940.

A whopping 338,226 troops were rescued from Dunkirk, with 224,320 of them being British.

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Travelling - Endeavour Trust members Paul Gilson, Colin Sains and Finlay Marshall in 2017

Endeavour was among 933 vessels involved, while 236 boats were lost, including Leigh boat Renown.

Currently moored at Leigh marina, Endeavour played a key role in British history and it will join other boats of her kind in the 80th anniversary rally next month.

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On the big screen - Endeavour featured in the 2017 film Dunkirk, which was written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan

The green cockle boat is due to take a crew of around 12 to mark the 80th anniversary of the evacuation.

The trust paid £20,000 earlier this year to renovate the boat.

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Home - Endeavour returning from her trip in 2011 to commemorate the Dunkirk evacuation

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Scroll down to see more images of the historic Endeavour.

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Holding its own - Endeavour moored up at Wapping on the River Thames

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We will remember them - Jeremy Squires, Gareth Davies, Colin Sains and Paul Gilson on board Endeavour ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation

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Memories - Reta Cocks’ (right) father Joe Deal owned Endeavour after the Second World War

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Getting a makeover - Endeavour’s new mast is moved into place ahead of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee flotilla in 2012