It was in the news Aug last year.
A large crowd that included a special royal guest were on hand yesterday (Wednesday) at Sizewell beach to greet six people who commemorated the 70th anniversary of the bravery of two brothers from the Netherlands who fled their Nazi-occupied country by rowing across the North Sea.

Betty Peteri-Peet, the widow of Henri Peteri who died in 2007, officially unveiled the sculpture in June 2009, and her son Neils was present to greet the successful rowers.

http://www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/news/council-adds-to-tributes-to-modern-engelandvaarders/

Even with todays backup boats, only three made it across, So it must have been a horrendous journey 70 years ago.