Douglas Arthur Tough was the fifth generation of Toughs working on the River Thames since Alexander Tough founded his lighterage business in 1829.

He started the firm of Tough Brothers with his brother, Gordon, in 1922. Early work included the refurbishment of ex-naval motor launches.

World War 11 brought Admiralty contracts, and in May 1940 Douglas was directed to collect any small craft capable of crossing the Channel to help with the Dunkirk evacuation. He gathered over one hundred craft, collected them at his yard and towed them to Ramsgate, where they were taken over by Royal Navy personnel. The miracle of the rescue thus entered the history books.

 After the war, Douglas started the commemorative Dunkirk crossings in a Dunkirk boat, the Minihaha, renamed Thamesa. 

In May 2010 his part in the rescue was recorded on a memorial stone beside Teddington Lock., unveiled by the Duke of Kent. 

Douglas Tough on Tigris III

Further Reading

Thames Festival Trust

Teddington Town