One of our success stories over the years has been publishing the story of Medway Queen. The book was originally published in 2013, with the help of publisher Kevin Robertson. It sold out in 18 months and was reprinted in 2014. That too has sold out and a  revised version is now at the printers.

As well as a few name spelling errors, and other minor corrections/additions, the main areas of change are to the Preservation chapter and the story of HMS Medway Queen after Dunkirk. The original edition was published while the ship was being rebuilt and couldn't cover the whole of that story. That part has been re-written to take the story in outline up to the day when the ship returned to the Medway; already covered in detail in the "Green Book".

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Our new book, "HMS Medway Queen - Memories of Dunkirk" will be available in May 2020. It is currently in the latter stages of proof reading.

​It will be roughly A5 size with 76 pages, and with a cover price of £8. It will contain personal recollections by those who were there. We are fortunate that no less than 3 members of the crew were taking photographs at that time. The First Lieutenant took some, which we have courtesy of the PSPS Collection. Two others, Eric Woodroffe and Roger Matthews, gave their material to the Medway Queen Preservation Society many years ago. Included in the book are the captain’s “narrative log” sent to the admiralty, extracts from a diary kept by one of the crew and accounts by Thomas Russell (ship’s cook) and John Graves (1st Lieutenant) printed in full. Personal recollections from the troops who were evacuated by HMS Medway Queen give the other side of the story.  We have a Foreword written by the grandson of the captain at Dunkirk and numerous accounts and information contributed by the descendants of both crew and troops. 

​"HMS Medway Queen - Memories of Dunkirk" is scheduled to go on sale at Ramsgate in May when Medway Queen is there for the anniversary commemorations. You can order in advance, direct from the author, and receive your copy a little ahead of that if you wish. Proceeds will all go to Medway Queen after printing costs have been met. Copies signed or unsigned as you wish.

Send a Sterling cheque for £9-50 (including UK P&P), payable to "R Halton", to 2 Drury Close, Hook, Royal Wootton Bassett. SN4 8EL, or pay by Paypal at richardhalton1502@gmail.com. Cheques will not be cashed until the books are available and they should be dispatched in the latter part of April. Overseas postage at cost, contact Richard by email.

Click below to see the video of the move on Amazon

A reminder of the early days of the MQPS from George Painter - thanks George!

Medway Queen was towed down river from St. Mary's Island to Damhead Creek on 7th of November 1987. A huge amount of preparation had been done to remove mud and make the hull watertight before- hand. The tow was made only after the ship had stayed afloat for 4 tides to ensure safety. At about 10.30 am Medway Queen set sail in charge of the tug Beult II and the Medway Ports Authority's vessel, Medway Otter.

Photo, left: MQ afloat and ready to leave - Noreen Chambers. 
Below: MQ's arrival at Damhead Creek - Iris Painter.

We have more information on the provisional schedule for Medway Queen's expedition to Ramsgate. It is planned that the ship will be open to the public on Ramsgate's Commercial Quay from 19th May to 25th May (Bank Holiday)