Lowestoft boat stars in Dunkirk Hollywood blockbuster

  • Anglia
Tom Hardy plays World War Two Spitfire in the film.

It is likely to be the biggest film of the year, with an all-star cast that includes Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh and making his acting debut - Harry Styles.

Thursday 13 July in London's Leicester Square, Prince Harry will attend the world premiere of Dunkirk, which recreates the remarkable story of more than 300,000 allied troops being rescued from the beaches there.

In 1940, MTB 102 was one of the last boats to leave Dunkirk.

Involved in that evacuation was a boat now based in Lowestoft which has a starring role in the film.

Last year Richard Basey was asked if they could use MTB 102 in the film. For years he spent time returning the boat to its former glory.

Richard Basey has spent years restoring MTB 102.
Scene from the Dunkirk blockbuster.

In 1940, MTB 102 was one of the last boats to leave Dunkirk, bringing stranded soldiers back to Britain. Mostly she had been involved in co-ordinating the evacuation effort.

What a bonus when Warner Brothers with a big budget came calling. The 102 Trust would not reveal what it is worth - but certainly enough for them to be prepared to spend two months in the port of Dunkirk while filming took place.

Harry Styles makes his acting debut in the blockbuster.

They were pretty much kept in the dark about what role the boat would play in the film.

She is the only surviving royal Royal Naval vessel from that remarkable event in 1940.

Dunkirk goes on general release in Britain Friday 21 July.

Dunkirk goes on general release in Britain Friday 21 July.