Anniversary of Operation Dynamo

[TarJak]

The Operation to rescue the British Expeditionary Force from France started on this day in 1940. To all who served

[bookworm_020]

A big to them all!

[JALU3]

Are there any surviving sailors and merchant mariners who assisted in the rescue? If so, is there a get together or oral history project that is attempting to preserve their recounts of the event?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by JALU3

Are there any surviving sailors and merchant mariners who assisted in the rescue? If so, is there a get together or oral history project that is attempting to preserve their recounts of the event?

My father (still living) took them over and brought them back.

[JALU3]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

My father (still living) took them over and brought them back.

So he was involved? I am sure he wasn't the only one though, otherwise his back must have hurt, and must've been a strong swimmer. I kid.
But seriously, has he recorded his experiences with an oral history project? As many of his generation continue to die, those are additional historical points of view that will be lost to the sands of time, least they aren't preserved in writing or recording.

[Jimbuna]

Nope, nothing like that, but I did send Sailor Steve a copy of his ID and shipping credentials once.

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Nope, nothing like that, but I did send Sailor Steve a copy of his ID and shipping credentials once.

Was it the same one that sailed with PQ-17? I seem to remember that from somewhere

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Was it the same one that sailed with PQ-17? I seem to remember that from somewhere

Yeah, was there as well.

If I can remember, I'll get the medal awarded to him by the Russians scanned on Sunday....and the pathetic item from his own government (but years later ).

[Q3ark]

My grandfather was rescued at Dunkirk, one of the last out i'm told. He never spoke about it. The only time he ever discussed the war years was on remembrance sunday, at the Royal British Legion club whan he'd have a few too many with his old army buddies.

Tha saddest thing I can remember, was one sunday we went to visit my grandmother, this was about a year after my grandfathers death, and an old b&w film about the evacuation came on the tv. There was a scene where the padre was giving a prayer for the dead and a german plane straffed the beach, I happened to look up and I saw my gran wiping tears from her eyes. This was 55 years later and it could still bring her to tears, must've been terrible times to live in.

[Oberon]

My great-grandfather was also at Dunkirk, so tell your Dad a big thank you from him, Jim

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

My great-grandfather was also at Dunkirk, so tell your Dad a big thank you from him, Jim

You bet....and I'm sure it will be very much appreciated

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Yeah, was there as well.

If I can remember, I'll get the medal awarded to him by the Russians scanned on Sunday....and the pathetic item from his own government (but years later ).

Letter of invitation



Front of booklet stored in the medal box



Inside the booklet



Medal front



Medal back



Pathetic enamel badge issued years later by British Government (pen used as a size comparison).



Closer view

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Nope, nothing like that, but I did send Sailor Steve a copy of his ID and shipping credentials once.

And they reside in a place of honor on my desktop.

These new pics are great, Jim.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

And they reside in a place of honor on my desktop.

These new pics are great, Jim.

Cheers Steve