Evacuation from Dunkirk

Eventually we decided to go back to Dunkirk but we had to chase off some French troops who were trying to commandeer our truck. All this time bombing, shelling and machine gunning had been going on, but after negotiating bomb craters we made it. Abandoning the truck again we went down to the beach and found that instead of the long columns of men stretching out along the sand a senior naval officer had started organising parties of fifty men with an officer or senior NCO giving them a serial number and spreading them out at hundred yard intervals. They were told to get down and when darkness fell evacuation would begin from the jetty. We attached ourselves to a party and sat down to wait. This naval officer was a real hero.He stood on the mole near the jetty and though under constant bombing and shelling he continued organising the evacuation hour after hour and never turned a hair. He was later killed, almost at the end.
Here we found several more of our chaps and officers. By scrounging as only a British soldier can, we rustled up some bully, biscuits and best of all, a large bottle of Bovril. A party went off with two empty petrol cans to find water. They returned later with tins nearly full and told us they had been sniped at by civilians with rifles and nearly lost the lot. I suppose the snipers were fifth columnists. We soon got a fire going with wood from damaged trucks, broke the bully and bicuits in one can of water, added the Bovril and boiled up a stew. We had no vegetables or seasoning but by gum it did not taste bad at all! The officers enjoyed it as much as we did. Then someone came along with tea, suger and a tin of milk. We brewed the char in the other tin which went round the lot - what a feast to remember! There was not much milk but it was better than a banquet at the Grosvenor to us.
Darkness fell and evacuation began, party by party, according to number. we climbed up on to the mole and on to the jetty. Then, dodging holes in the broadwalk, made our way to the waiting destroyers. Jerry opened up again with guns and there were casualties as shells dropped on or near the mole. Stretcher bearers were constantly being called for. A party in front of us received a direct hit but we had to hurry along and clamber over them. The evacuation must not stop because no ship could load in daylight. No time could be lost and those poor lads had to be left behind with the RAMC who volunteered to stay with them. Some of our chaps were wounded but managed to reach the ship.
We boarded HMS Anthony, a destroyer, and when full left the burning and almost destroyed town of Dunkirk behind. As soon as we were clear we had a last look at the awful scene, which looked terrifying from the sea. Many of us said a silent prayer of thanks to God and the Royal Navy. Some of the crew came round with loaves and cocoa and we were beginning to feel less of the strain of the past few hours. I shouted to an officer on the bridge 'where are we going and how long will it take?'. He replied, 'Dover, and with a bit of luck we'll have you there in just over an hour' when out of the sky dived a bomber! We were then at full speed and were told to lie down for safety. It flew over us almost at mast height, bombs exploded, the ship trembled and swerved. I thought 'this is it!' and began to take off my equipment and shoes. The officer yelled 'stay where you are! The Navy will get you home!' I must confess I had my doubts then, for the first time in my life I thought neither the Navy or anyone else can save us from this.
The ship had been hit, badly I believe, but the Royal Navy did get us back to Dover. At about 4.30am we pulled in alongside another destroyer which had preceeded us. We had to wait while she unloaded and then to the anger and amazement to all aboard we were held up while some Jerry air force prisoners were taken ashore. Cries of 'throw 'em overboard' and other unprintable remarks were heard. At last we stepped ashore and I found myself in the company of Col. Sgt Johnny Yates and Sgt Jack Barnett of A company. A few more of the battalion were rounded up, we were given tea and sandwiches, and a ten bob note and eventually put on a train. After a long journey we found ourselves in Exeter. On the way we stopped at Salisbury where local ladies met us with more tea and sandwiches! Commuters bought all the cigarettes and papers at the bookstall and handed them through the carriage windows. We were overwhelmed by their kindness. The headlines that morning said 300,000 men had been evacuated from France. That was the first time we knew what a great job had been done by the Royal Navy and the other ships which took part.
I visited Dunkirk in 1966 for the unveiling of the memorial by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and when I saw the names of all the boys who did not make it I wondered how many of us did. Certainly it was a miracle.

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