1940 [ Content Tag Results ]
Below is a list of the history pages, personal accounts, extracts and photos that have been tagged with a reference to '1940'...
Tag references
Divided into content type :
2. [ pow ]
Corp. Jack Kidd
Jan 1938 - Early 1945
Corporal Jack Kidd's personal accounts of joining the Division in 1938, the surrender at St. Valery 1940, the journey into captivity as a WWII POW and the final forced 'Death March' or 'Thousand mile march' in 1945 as the German Guards retreated.
3. [ pow ]
Road to St. Valéry
Jan 1938 - June 1940
Corp. Jack Kidd's experience from joining the Territorial Army in January 1938 to his capture at St. Valéry-en-caux in June 1940.
4. [ history ]
Mobilisation & WWII
Late 1938 - Jan 1940
From the "call out" of the TA in late 1938 to embarkation at Southampton for Le Havre in January 1940.
5. [ pow ]
Gunner Henry Owens
June 1939 - May 1945
The story of Gunner Henry Owens - from his volunteering in 1939, through the capture at St Valéry, to life as a POW and finally the long march back from East Prussia into Germany, from where he was finally repatriated in 1945. It includes photos and copies of original documents as well as extracts from personal letters of the time.
6. [ pow ]
volunteering - capture
1939 - 1940
From Henry Owens' volunteering in 1939 to his capture at St. Valery in 1940
7. [ history ]
The B.E.F.
Jan - Jun 1940
The 51st Highland Division landed in Le Havre in January 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force [B.E.F.] On 28th March they were deployed into the defensive line relieving the French 21st Division between Bailleul and Armentiéres...
8. [ pow ]
Gunner Daniel Stevens
Jun 40 - May 44
This journal was kindly provided by Tim Lazenby and is the account written by his grandfather, Gunner Daniel Stevens 788254. It describes the retreat to St Valery and surrender of British troops on 12th June 1940 and the movement of the prisoners of war from St Valery to Thorm in Poland. The diary returns to thoughts of home and loved ones and the sense of exhaustion in recounting these memories is evident.
9. [ history ]
St. Valéry
June 1940
General Fortune considered all the options, a counter attack, further resistance, retaking the town but against this there was no possibility of evacuation or support, the men were exhausted and virtually out of ammunition, with no artillery ammunition at all. Shortly before 1000hrs on the 12th June General fortune took the most difficult of decisions - to surrender...
10. [ pow ]
WWII POW Experiences
An Introduction
While part of the 51st Highland Division, Ark Force, escaped capture at St Valéry and returned with the reformed 51st Highland Division to continue the war in North Africa and Europe for many their war would continue in captivity for the next five years...
11. [ pow ]
Johnnie Matheson
5 Escape Attempts
Johnnie Matheson retells the story of his five escape attempts from POW camps between 1940 - 1945.
He walked into wartime captivity with a haversack full of looted French franc notes of doubtful value from a bombed bank in St Valery - and more than five years later drove across a war-torn Europe heading for his Highland home in a brand new BMW car festooned with American stars and stripes, and a legitimate fortune in pounds sterling in his pocket.
12. [ pow ]
March into Captivity
Summer 1940
Personal account of the march into POW captivity by Henry Owens, 1940
13. [ pow ]
to the POW Camp
Summer 1940
Corporal Jack Kidd's personal accounts of the journey into captivity from 12th June 1940 at St. Valéry, through Belgium, Holland and onto Thorne in Poland.
14. [ pow ]
The POW Camps
1940 - 1945
Henry Owens recalls the POW Camps he was held in from 1940 - 1945
15. [ pow ]
POW Processing
1940
Corp. Jack Kidd recalls his POW processing at Thorne, Polland, Summer/Autumn 1940
16. [ history ]
Reformation
1940 - 1942
After St. Valery, the remainder of the 51st Highland Division joined the 9th Highland Division, a territorial 2nd line duplicate of the 51HD (amongst other smaller Battalions) to form the new 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. This reformed division had the following orders of Battle...
18. [ pow ]
Stalag XXa Camp 52
1940 - 1942
Henry Owens describes life and forced labour at Stalag XXa Camp 52, Gorsdorf, Poland. 1940 - 1942
19. [ battalions ]
5/7th Gordon Highlanders
Regaining Drum
Set of photos showing American Forces conducting a ceremony to hand over a drum of the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders which had been lost in 1940. (c. Photo 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
The set show the 5/7th Gordons on parade as part of the ceremony as well as the hand-over itself.
20. [ memorials ]
Captain Derek Lang Path
Veules-les-Roses
Dedication of the path up the cliff from of Veules-les-Roses to Captain Derek Lang. The path was opened by Sarah Hunt, daughter of Sir Derek, in June 2015
1. [ account ]
Raising the Camerons
1938 -1940
From the "call out" of the TA in late 1938 to embarkation at Southampton for Le Havre in January 1940. Extract from 'Return to St. Valéry' by Lieutenant General Sir Derek Lang. Lieutenant General Lang was Adjutant of 4th Camerons in 1939 when the decision was made to double the size of the TA.
2. [ extract ]
Divison Brigade Commanders WW2
1940 - 1945
Battalions and Commanders within 152, 153 and 154 Brigades during France 1940, North Africa 1942-43, Sicily 1943 and North West Europe 1944-45, sourced from "Battalion" by Alastair Borthwick.
3. [ extract ]
Order of Battle - 51HD
The B.E.F. 1940
Order of Battle of the 51st Highland Division in the B.E.F. 1940
4. [ extract ]
Order of Battle on Embarkation
January 1940
Extract from 'Return to St. Valéry' by Lieutenant General Sir Derek Lang
5. [ account ]
Movements leaving Lille
April 1940
Account of the "Movements of 51 Div. and Attached Tps. since leaving Lille Area" [April 1940].
Provided by Mr Michael Thomson of Perth who provided various artefacts from his Uncle, Major David K Thomson, who was in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) in the Divisional Supply Regiment.
6. [ account ]
Lt. Col. Honeyman, 1st BW Withdraw, St. Valery
24th May to 13th June 1940
Lieutenant Colonel Honeyman's personal account of the withdrawal of 1st Battalion Black Watch from St. Valery. The account spans from the 24th May to 13th June 1940.
7. [ account ]
War Diary of Captain Macrae
27 May - 10 Jun 1940
The War Diary of Captain R.A.A.S. Macrae Adjutant to 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, covering the period of 27th May to 10th June 1940. Nb. a separate account covers the 11/12th June, a link to which has been added to the St. Valery section of the site.
8. [ account ]
The move to the Somme
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor who was the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands. Describes the move to the Somme at the end of May / beginning of June 1940
9. [ extract ]
Abbeville, Drinkall
Extract from Mike Drinkall's "A Londoner in the 51st HD"
The following extract describing the battle for Abbeville is taken from “A LONDONER IN THE 51st HIGHLAND DIVISION – JACK DRINKALL’S STORY by Mike Drinkall.
10. [ account ]
Medical History of 500 British Wounded POW
June 1940 to June 1941
A personal account by Major E.R.C. Walker, R.A.M.C. dealing with the Medical History of 500 British Wounded Prisoners of War from June 1940 to June 1941
11. [ account ]
Attack on the Grand Bois
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor, the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands, covering the first week of June 1940.
12. [ extract ]
The Battle of Abbeville
3rd - 6th June 1940
Description of the attack on Abbeville, from 'The Highland Division' by Eric Linklater.
13. [ extract ]
Attack at Huchenneville
04 June 1940
Extracts from "Churchill's Sacrifice of the Highland Division" by Saul David relating to the 4th Cameron Highlanders Attack at Huchenneville on 4th June 1940.
14. [ extract ]
Attack on Abbeville Bridgehead
4th June 1940
Extract relating to the Attack on Abbeville Bridgehead on 4 Jun 1940 from "THE FIGHTING IN THE SAAR AND SOUTH OF THE SOMME" prepared by the Historical Section of the Cabinet.
15. [ account ]
Tom Garside at St. Valery
June 1940
Tom Garside's personal account of his lucky escape along the beach from St. Valery in June 1940.
Kindly sent to us by Tom's Son, Jim Garside.
16. [ extract ]
7th Argylls at Franleu
5th - 7th June 1940
The following description is taken from 'The History of the 7th Argylls - From El Alamein to Germany' by Ian C Cameron and details the 7th Argylls & Sutherland Highlanders at Franleu from 5th - 7th June 1940.
17. [ account ]
Capt. J.D. Inglis', C Coy.'s Capture, June, 1940
June 1940
Captain J.D. Inglis' account of the action in which 'C' Coy. were captured, 5th - 7th June 1940. The account was written for the Regimental Archive.
We were kindly sent a copy of this account by Capt. T. Inglis, the Grandson of Capt. J.D. Inglis.
18. [ account ]
Withdrawal from the Somme
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor, the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands, covering the period June 5th - 7th 1940.
19. [ account ]
The Bresle position
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor, the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands, concerning the withdrawal over June 7th and 8th 1940.
20. [ account ]
Ark Force and Arques-la-Bataille
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor, the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands. Covers the period June 9th and 10th 1940 during the withdrawal towards St. Valery.
21. [ op order ]
Ark Force Orders
9th June 1940
Copy of the exact order given to "ARK" Force on the 9th June 1940. Taken from the Historical Section of the Cabinet Account of the defence of Le Havre.
22. [ account ]
"Ark" Force - The Defense of Le Harve
June 1940
The defense of Le Havre from Arques-la-Bataille. (The B.E.F. June 1940)
23. [ account ]
Major Grant Diary (Scans)
9th - 12th June 1940
The Highlanders Museum and Queen's Own Highlanders Collection have very generously provided a scan of the diary compiled by Major Grant while a prisoner of war. The pages of this diary reproduced here cover the period 9 to 12 June 1940.
24. [ account ]
Major Grant Diary (Transcription)
9th - 12th June 1940
A transcription of Major Grant's diary entries covering the period from the 9th June 1940 leading up to the capture of the Division at St. Valery on the 12th June 1940.
25. [ account ]
Rankmore, POW Journal Extracts
12-20 June and 26-29 Nov 1940
Extract from POW diary, written by Edward Gorder Rankmore, A Company, 2nd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. This extract concerns the
The first extract pertains to 12-20 June 1940 and recounts his attempt to get away by a small boat with a party of Frenchmen and an Englishman who was wounded.
The journal goes on to detail his escape and capture 26-29 Nov 1940.
26. [ account ]
1 Gordons, St. Valery
Journal extract, Capt. Taylor, Intel. Officer 1 Gordons
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor, the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands. Covers the period June 11th and 12th 1940 at St. Valery.
27. [ extract ]
Bradford's Black Watch at St. Valery
Extract from Capt. Bradford's account
An extract from “Escape from Saint Valery-en-Caux - Recounting the Adventures of Captain B C Bradford”. This section describes the retreat towards St. Valery on the 11th/12th June 1940.
28. [ account ]
Captain Macrae, St. Valery
11/12th June 1940, St. Valery
An extract from the War Diary of Captain R.A.A.S. Macrae Adjutant to 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, covering the period 11/12th June 1940. Nb. a separate account covers the 27th May - 10th June, a link to which has been added to The B.E.F. section of the site.
29. [ account ]
‘D’ Coy 7th Royal Norfolk
Accounts of capture, St. Valery, June 11/12th 1940
Two accounts of ‘D’ Coy 7th Royal Norfolk and their capture at St. Valery June 11th & 12th 1940
30. [ account ]
2/Lt Richard Broad's Escape
Account from Churchill's Sacrifice by Saul David
The remarkable story of 2nd Lieutenant Richard Broad's escape from St. Valery. Reproduced, with kind permission, from Saul David's book, Churchill's Sacrifice.
31. [ extract ]
Attempt to Evacuate St Valery
Report from C. in C. Portsmouth, 13 Jun '40
Report from C. in C. Portsmouth describing Naval efforts made to evacuate the 51st Highland Division between 10th - 12th June 1940.
32. [ extract ]
Evacuation, Driver MacAskill
154 Inf. RASC, June 1940
An extract from Driver MacAskill’s Memories of Service with 154 Inf RASC detailing his evacuation from Cherbourg, 13th June 1940.
33. [ account ]
Prandle, St. Valery Account
15th July 1940
Copy of a Letter received by Sgt (AC) G.C.Claridge, from Bdr (AC) W.H Prandle 101st L.A.A. & A.Tk.Regt.R.A. (old 5th Bn R.W.F.,TA), Dated 15th July 1940. This letter has been Provided by a contact in the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum and provides a fascinating account of the retreat to St. Valéry by one of the lucky ones that got away.
1. [ photo ]
Corporal Jack Kidd
Corporal Jack Kidd, Prisoner of War after the 51HD were forced to surrender at St. Valery.
2. [ photo ]
R.A.S.C., Officers Training
December 1939
Thanks to James Gillies for sending us this photograph of the 51st Highland Division, R.A.S.C., Officers' Training Company taken in December 1939. The photo has been added to the Mobilisation section as it was possibly taken whilst the Division was at Aldershot, prior the eventual embarkation to Le Havre from Southampton in January 1940. A full list of those present in the lineup can be found here.
4. [ photo ]
Map of Somme-Bresle, 1940
1940
Sketch map of the Somme - Bresle in Northern France, 1940.
5. [ photo ]
Periscope, Fort de Sainghain
1940
THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (BEF) IN FRANCE 1939-1940
51st Highland Division in the Maginot Line: A soldier from the Cameron Highlanders looks through a periscope in the Fort de Sainghain.
8. [ photo ]
Scout carriers
19th March 1940
THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE 1940
Scout carriers of 51st Highland Division with Light Tank Mk VIs of 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry visible in the background, 19 March 1940.
9. [ photo ]
Harry Knox, May, 1940
5th May 1940, B.E.F.
The reverse of this photograph is a postcard on which is written "Taken on Sunday Afternoon, 5-5-1940" with a postal address processed by the Army Post Office B.E.F.
Harry would be captured a few weeks later at St. Valery.
10. [ photo ]
George and Ella Clare on their Wedding Day
8th of May, 1940, Glasgow
"... after three blissful days' honeymoon I was due to return to my unit. Listening to the 6 p.m. news we heard that the Germans had invaded Belgium. That was on Friday, 10th May, 1940 and the war was on in earnest."
12. [ photo ]
Map of divisional deployment around St. Valery
June 1940
Sketch map of Divisional deployment around St. Valery. Based on a sketch by Second Lieutenant "Ran" Ogilvie of Gordon Highlanders.
13. [ photo ]
Somme area June 1st-6th 1940
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, detailing the Somme area June 1st-6th 1940
14. [ photo ]
Bn dispositions June 2nd 1940
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, detailing Battalion dispositions June 2nd 1940
15. [ photo ]
1 Gordons Somme Campaign
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the area of the Somme Campaign June 1940
16. [ photo ]
1 Gordons The Grand Bois
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, detailing Coy and Pl. localities on completion of phase i (the capture and consolidation of the Grand Bois). June 4th 1940
17. [ photo ]
4th Camerons Attack at Huchenneville Sketch Map
4th June 1940
Sketch map showing the line of attack and positions of 4th Cameron Coys. during the attack at Huchenneville on 4th June 1940. A version of this original sketch is recreated within "Churchill's Sacrifice". This original sketch is in a manuscript account in an exercise book written in a prisoner of war camp. The book does not say who the author was but there is a loose letter in it to Major W A Macleay, 4th Battalion Q.O. Cameron Highlanders, commending a L/Cpl for his actions on the Somme on 4/5th June and it is assumed that Major Macleay was the author of the diary and map.
18. [ photo ]
"B" Coy. Huchenneville
04 Jun 1940
View from starting line of attach by "B" Coy. 4th Camerons from Huchenneville towards Hedgehog Wood, 4th June 1940
20. [ photo ]
"D" Coy. Position, Huchenneville
04 Jun 1940
Photo take during a Battlefield Tour in 2015 showing the view from the start line for 4th Cameron's D Company attack on 4th June 1940. The "Route National" is off to the left. The enemy position was in the bulge in the wood on the horizon.
21. [ photo ]
Huchenneville Map D & B Coy.
1st Btn. Black Watch, 04 June 1940
A map showing the starting attack positions of "D" & "C" Coy. near Huchenneville on 4th June 1940
22. [ photo ]
Map of The Grand Bois
Area of 1st Gordon's Attack on 4th June 1940
This maps shows the area of attack on 4th June 1940 by 1st Gordon Highlanders on the Grand Bois from the west, supported by fire from 1st Black Watch in the Petit Bois (shown on the map as the Bois de Conchy)
23. [ photo ]
Sketch Map Huchenneville
4th June 1940
A sketch map showing the line of attack of "B" Coy. 4th Camerons during the attack at Huchenneville on 4th June 1940.
24. [ photo ]
The Petit Bois
From the eastern end of the Grand Bois looking back on the Petit Bois. Scene of the 1st Gordon's Attack on Grand Bois, 4th June 1940.
25. [ photo ]
View of Grand Bois
View looking up the southern length of the Grand Bois from the western corner. Scene of the 1st Gordons Attack on Grand Bois, 4th June 1940
26. [ photo ]
View of Petit Bois
The view of The Petit Bois as seen from the western end of the Grand Bois. Scene of the 1st Gordon's Attack on Grand Bois, 4th June 1940.
27. [ photo ]
1 Gordon Coy Areas, June 5th 1940
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing Coy areas at 1200 hrs and from 1300-2300 hrs on June 5th 1940
28. [ photo ]
Church at Franleu
The Church at Franleu today still bears the scars of the fierce fighting on 5 June 1940.
29. [ photo ]
Franleu sketch map
The sketch map is based on a recent visit by Brig. C. Grant and on the map in 'The History of the 7th Argylls - From El Alamein to Germany' by Ian C Cameron
30. [ photo ]
June 5th: 0500 to 0730 hrs
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing withdrawal from Somme between 0500 hrs and 0730 hrs June 5th 1940
31. [ photo ]
Holding a position in the River Bresle area
6 - 8 June 1940
THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE 1940
Men of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, holding a position in the River Bresle area, 6 - 8 June 1940.
32. [ photo ]
The Bresle position
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the Bresle position, June 7th and 8th 1940
33. [ photo ]
1 Gordons disositions June 9th 1940
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the 1st Gordon Highlanders' dispositions between 1400-2130 hrs on June 9th 1940
34. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 27
9th June 1940
Scan of Major Grant's diary relating to 9th June 1940, Dieppe / Arques Le Battaille
35. [ photo ]
Major Grant Map (No.10), Dieppe
Dieppe - Arques Le Battaille, 9th June 1940
Sketch map from Major Grant's diary relating to positions around Dieppe on 9th June 1940
36. [ photo ]
Major Grant Map (No11), Dieppe to St Valery
Dieppe to St Valery, June 1940
Sketch map from Major Grant's diary showing the route from Dieppe to St. Valery.
37. [ photo ]
Withdrawal from the Foret d’Arques
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the line of withdrawal from the Foret d’Arques June 9th - June 10th 1940
38. [ photo ]
HMS Boadicea
HMS BOADICEA, a British "Beagle" or B-Class Destroyer, pictured here in coastal waters off Greenock. The Boadicea was badly damaged off St. Valery on 10th June 1940 by Stuka bombing raids whilst evacuating men.
39. [ photo ]
HMS Bulldog
The HMS Bulldog helped evacuate men from St. Valery on 10th June 1940. Although damaged in Stuka raids was able to limp back to the Isle of Wight on one engine, still containing two unexploded bombs.
40. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 28
9/10 June 1940
Scan of page 28 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 9th/10th June 1940
41. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 29
10th June 1940
Scan of page 29 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 10th June 1940
42. [ photo ]
Major Grant Map (No.12), Longeuil
Longeuil, 10th June 1940
Sketch map from Major Grant's diary relating to positions around Longeuil on 10th June 1940
43. [ photo ]
Route Veules Les Roses to Gueures
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the route taken by the 1st Gordons from Veules Les Roses to Gueures on June 10th 1940
44. [ photo ]
1 Gordons St. Valery
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, of the St-Valery bridgehead western flank showing Coy areas on June 11th 1940 at 0930 hrs
45. [ photo ]
Bradford Sketch Map
11th June 1940
A sketch map taken from an extract from “Escape from Saint Valery-en- Caux - Recounting the Adventures of Capatin B C Bradford", showing the position of 1st Black Watch on the 11th June 1940.
46. [ photo ]
Major E.R.C. Walker
R.A.M.C.
Photograph of Major Edward R.C. Walker, R.A.M.C., kindly provided by Andrew Brown, nephew-in-law to Major Walker.
47. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 30
11th June 1940
Scan of page 30 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 11th June 1940 and movements around St. Valery
48. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 31
11th June 1940
Scan of page 31 from Major Grant's diary relating to positions around Le Tot & St. Sylvan 11th June 1940
49. [ photo ]
Major Grant Map (No.13), St Valery
St Valery, 11th June 1940
Sketch map from Major Grant's diary relating to positions around St. Valery on 11th June 1940
50. [ photo ]
Major Grant Map (No.14), Le Tot
Le Tot & St. Sylvan, 11/12 June 1940
Sketch map from Major Grant's diary relating to positions around Le Tot & St. Sylvan and German Tank movements. 11th and 12th June 1940.
51. [ photo ]
SS Sir Evelyn Wood
Steamer
The SS Sir Evelyn Wood, a War Department Steamer, used in evacuate men from France in 1940 and the boat that Tom Garside was able to gain escape from St. Valery on the night of 11th June 1940. The steamer was built in 1896 and remained in War Dept. service until 1958 (cit.)
52. [ photo ]
St. Valery Tank Attack
from the Journal of Captain Taylor, Intelligence Officer 1 Gordons
Sketch map by Capt. Taylor, Intelligence Office 1 Gordons, showing the Tank attack at St. Valery, 1500-1520 hrs, June 11th 1940
53. [ photo ]
Major General Fortune with General Major Rommel
12th June 1940
Major General V M Fortune, GOC [General Commanding Officer] 51st Highland Division (right), with General Major Erwin Rommel at St. Valéry after the surrender of the 51st Division to Rommel's 7th Panzer Division (12th June 1940)
54. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 32
11/12th June 1940
Scan of page 32 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 11/12th June 1940
55. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 33
11/12th June 1940
Scan of page 33 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 11th/12th June 1940
56. [ photo ]
Major Grant Diary, Page 34
12th June 1940
Scan of page 34 from Major Grant's diary relating to the 12th June 1940
58. [ photo ]
Evacuation from Cherbourg
13 June 1940
British troops on the deck of a ship, evacuated from Cherbourg, 13 June 1940, watching army stores on the shoreline burn.
59. [ photo ]
51HD POWs, Veules les Rose
June 1940
Photograph from the Nazi propaganda magazine 'Signal', showing Highland Division POWs taken at Veules les Rose, east of St. Valery. Colin Hunter, 4th Camerons' Intelligence Officer, is in the centre right of the picture with a bandaged eye and Captain Derek Lang, with half his face visible, is at the extreme right.
60. [ photo ]
Henry Owens - Newspaper Clipping
Newspaper Clipping on Henry Owens from his home town reporting him as 'missing'.
61. [ photo ]
51HD Badge (red on blue)
51st Highland Division Shoulder Flash, red on blue background in use after the division was reformed after St. Valéry 1940, incorporating the Territorial 9th Scottish Division with the remains of 51st Highland Infantry Division.
62. [ photo ]
9th (H) Division Badge
Should Flash of the 9th Highland Division, prior to incorporation into the 51st Highland Division after St. Valéry, 1940.
63. [ photo ]
Corp. Jack Kidd's POW ID Tags
Corp. Jack Kidd's hand-tapped prisoner of War ID tags. The location of the POW camp is marked on one side as 'Thorn' which is located in Poland
64. [ photo ]
JCG, 1940 camp, kilts
Summer 1940
This photo was sent to us by Russel Gatehouse along with 3 others that all belonged to his Father, Corporal John Cuthbert Gatehouse, RASC.
The photo's annotation reads "1940,3 NCO,51ST High.Div"
John was captured at St. Valery in June 1940 and is known to have been held at Stalag XXI B POW camp in Schubin in 1940. The 3 other photos have been annotated with references to Schubin but the location of this photo is not known.
65. [ photo ]
Schubin Huts, 1940
Schubin, 1940
This photo was sent to us by Russel Gatehouse along with 3 others that all belonged to his Father, Corporal John Cuthbert Gatehouse, RASC.
The annotation reads "Huts being built for French officers,Schubin 1940"
John was captured at St. Valery in June 1940 and is known to have been held at Stalag XXI B POW camp in Schubin in 1940.
66. [ photo ]
Schubin Village, 1940
Summer 1940
This photo was sent to us by Russel Gatehouse along with 3 others that all belonged to his Father, Corporal John Cuthbert Gatehouse, RASC.
The photo's annotation simply reads "Schubin Village, 1940"
Schubin was the location of Stalag XXI B POW camp which John was held from 1940.
67. [ photo ]
Official notification of POW
4th September 1940
This is a scan of the letter Henry Owens' Mother received officially notifying her of her son's (Henry Owens) capture and status as a POW. Dated 4th September 1940.
68. [ photo ]
Men from Stalag IX-C
Part of Pte. Harry Knox Collection
Men from Stalag IX-C POW Camp.
Date unknown. Annotated with No. 1012, making this the earliest of the officially catalogued photos in the collection of photos belonging to Pte. Harry Knox, Gordon Highlanders.
69. [ photo ]
Henry Owens clearing ice, Stalag XXa
Henry Owens (far left) clearing ice in a work gang at Stalag XXa, Camp 52, Gorsdorf, Poland.
70. [ photo ]
Henry Owens clears snow, Stalag XXa
Henry Owens (far left) clearing snow as forced labour whilst at Stalag XXa Camp 52, Gorsdorf, Poland.
71. [ photo ]
Major General Fortune
12th June 1940
A veteran of the First World War, Victor Fortune had been commissioned in 1903 and he had commanded 1st Battalion The Black Watch in 1916. He commanded 1st Seaforths in 1927 and took command of the 5th Infantry brigade in 1930. He commanded the 52nd (Lowland) Division in 1935 and took command of the Highland Division in 1937.
When the Division surrendered at St.Valéry General Fortune went into captivity, refusing to be repatriated after a stroke in 1944. He returned when the prisoners were liberated and retired from the Army and died on 2nd January 1949.
72. [ photo ]
5/7th Gordons Drum
Lost in 1940
Photo shows a member of the American Force handing over a drum of the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders, lost in 1940. (c. Photo 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
Other photos in the set show the 5/7th Gordons on parade as part of the ceremony.
73. [ photo ]
5/7th Gordons Parade c.1945/46
On Parade c.1945/46
Photos showing the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders on parade (c. 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
It is understand the parade was part of a ceremony to return a drum of the 5th Gordon Highlanders lost in 1940.
74. [ photo ]
5th/7th Gordon Highlanders on parade
c.1945/46
Photos showing the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders on parade (c. 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
It is understand the parade was part of a ceremony to return a drum of the 5th Gordon Highlanders lost in 1940.
75. [ photo ]
5th/7th Gordon Highlanders on Parade
c.1945/46
Photos showing the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders on parade (c. 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
It is understand the parade was part of a ceremony to return a drum of the 5th Gordon Highlanders lost in 1940.
76. [ photo ]
American 5/7th Gordons Drum
American forces conduct ceremony c.1945/46
Photo shows a member of the American Force conducting a ceremony to hand over a drum of the 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders, lost in 1940. (c. Photo 1945/46, City unknown).
Photo is part of a set sent to us by Dave Clark who's Father was 320391 Lieutenant James Henderson Clark of 5th/7th Gordon Highlanders.
Other photos in the set show the 5/7th Gordons on parade as part of the ceremony.
77. [ photo ]
Memorial Unveiling, St. Valery, 1950
1950
A photograph of a press cutting, looking down on the devastated St. Valery on the occasion of the unveiling of the 51st Highland Davison Memorial in 1950
78. [ photo ]
Cpt Derek Lang Path Unveiled
Vueles-les-Roses, June 2015
The town of Vueles-les-Roses, just to the east of St. Valery, dedicate the path up the cliff to Captain Derek Lang. The path was opened by Sarah Hunt, daughter of Sir Derek.
79. [ photo ]
Cpt Derek Lang Path, Vueles-les-Roses
Vueles-les-Roses
Photograph of Sarah Hunt, Daughter of Sir Derek Lang Path at the unveiling of the cliffside path dedicated to him at Vueles-les-Roses in June 2015.