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15 October 2014
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The forgotten 51st

by skillywidden

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Contributed by 
skillywidden
People in story: 
My Grandfather
Location of story: 
France
Background to story: 
Army
Article ID: 
A2326439
Contributed on: 
21 February 2004

During the Dunkirk evacuation,my Grandfather, along with many thousands of others of the 51st Seaforth Highlanders, was deliberately left behind by Churchill as a gesture of support to the French. He was one of the lucky ones who was not butchered at St.Valery or taken prisoner but was evacuated weeks after Dunkirk, wounded, probably from St.Nazaire - he never talked about it but suffered nightmares the rest of his life.
I and many others feel very angry that accounts and programmes about Dunkirk and the retreat from France never mention those left to fight on.

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These messages were added to this story by site members between June 2003 and January 2006. It is no longer possible to leave messages here. Find out more about the site contributors.

Message 1 - Escape from St Valery

Posted on: 13 March 2005 by deftQuail

My father Charles K. Findlay was a member of the 51st Highland Division coming from Alyth,Perthshire,Scotland.He to escaped from St. Valery by hiding in caves along the seaside,then had to swim for his life while german bullets are hitting the water around him.he eventually made it to ship and was rescued.but he left many friends and comrades (dead or POW) behind.He was quite bitter about this part of the war.he too recieved no medals,not even a pat on the back for a job well done.He eventually took his wife and 5 children,and emigrated to America and lived a full life until his passing in 1995.

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