The Medway Queen, dubbed the Heroine of Dunkirk during the Second World War, received a hero’s welcome when she returned to Gillingham Pier last week.

Developer Berkeley, which is building homes at nearby Victory Pier, Gillingham, is helping The Medway Queen Preservation Society bring the much-loved steamer back to life and sponsored her return to the place where she was built in 1924.

Hundreds turned out on Tuesday, November 19, to welcome the paddle steamer home to the place where it spent most of her working life, operating a service for day trippers between the Medway towns and Southend-on-Sea.

During the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940, she powered across the English Channel seven times to help rescue 7,000 British troops from northern France.

Berkeley has previously donated surplus building materials to the preservation society and helped sponsor the steamer’s relocation. Now the property company is raising awareness of the charity’s work among local people, helping to raise funds for the society which aims to bring the steamer back to life.

A spokesman for Berkeley said: “We believe the ship will add great value to Victory Pier, Kent’s most vibrant waterside destination.”

The developer is transforming the 20 acre site into a waterside community overlooking the River Medway. When complete, this new waterfront village will include around 800 new homes, 24,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space including shops and restaurants, a 120 bed hotel and the LV21, a floating cultural and art centre which is permanently moored at Victory Pier.

Prices for homes at Victory Pier start from £114,950 for a Manhattan suite, from £139,000 for a one-bedroom apartment; two-bedroom apartments start from £172,000 and three-bedroom apartments start from £265,000. Help to Buy is available on a selection properties.

For more information on the homes call the sales and marking suite, open daily from 11am to 6pm, on 01634 565000 or visit: www.victorypier.com.