REPUTATIONS: Admiral Sir William Milbourne James
Admiral Sir William Milbourne James is more famous for being the boy in the Pears’ soap ad than saving 200,000 Allied lives. Jane Hall sets the record straight
“This formidable naval commander never managed to shake off his youthful nickname of ‘Bubbles’”

Operation Dynamo and the Dunkirk evacuation is one of the most well documented events in World War Two history. Yet another rescue mission, Operation Aerial, receives scant attention despite having saved the lives of more than 200,000 Allied servicemen, civilian evacuees and refugees. This was Admiral Sir William Milbourne James’ finest hour.