Today Erskine marks the anniversary of the start of the Dunkirk evacuation, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk.  

The evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940 was momentous operation.

Large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and surrounded by German troops during the six-week Battle of France.

On the first day only 7,669 Allied soldiers were evacuated, but by the end of the eighth day, 338,226 had been rescued by a hastily assembled fleet of over 800 vessels. Many soldiers had to wade out from the beaches, waiting for hours in shoulder-deep water. Some were ferried to the larger ships by what became known as the Little Ships of Dunkirk, a flotilla of hundreds of merchant marine boats, fishing boats, pleasure craft, yachts, and lifeboats called into service from Britain. 

 “Dunkirk: The Forgotten Heroes” documentary tells the story of the 51st Highland Division, which was stranded in Saint Valery in June 1940, after the evacuation at Dunkirk.

In 2018 the only surviving Division members were filmed as they shared their experiences of being the last part of the British Expeditionary Force on the front line. The BEF was sent to help defend France. By 21 May, German forces had trapped not only the BEF, the remains of the Belgian forces, and three French field armies along the northern coast of France. BEF commander General Viscount Gort immediately saw evacuation across the Channel as the best course of action, and began planning a withdrawal to Dunkirk, the closest good port.

Erskine Veteran Harry Bayne who served with the Black Watch 1st Battalion recounted his emotive, personal experience.  Sadly Harry is no longer with us but his wonderful memories of this historical time live on in the documentary “Dunkirk: The Forgotten Heroes” which can be watched by clicking this link.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dunkirk-the-forgotten-heroes

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio

To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate.

Erskine Veterans Charity is the trading name of Erskine Hospital | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity SC006609