First published 2016/04/06
A few short years before D-Day, another terrible battle took place in Normandy, just 100 miles north east of those famous beaches, around Veules-les-Roses and Saint-Valéry-en-Caux.
It’s not talked about much in England and until our visit we had no idea about the events of 11 & 12 June 1940, until a vintage postcard took us up a deserted track for an unclear match through the trees to the town below.
The match is unremarkable, except to highlight long lost suburban tidiness now replaced with a more relaxed attitude towards foliage.
Shocking history
Before looking for our match we parked at the top of the cliffs overlooking Saint-Valéry-en-Caux and walked towards edge to find out why two huge guns were placed there looking out across the Channel. A pretty sea sparkled below and the small harbour looked peaceful in early autumn sunlight.
Then we read the information board by the old guns and everything sort of stopped. The board in French and English didn’t go into much detail, it didn’t have to.
From Veules-les-Roses to Saint-Valéry-en-Caux is the site of one of the most terrible defeats of WW2 and heroism we can only imagine.
Holding back the German war machine
History we learn in school, or from films and occasional newspaper articles, hails the courage of rescuers and the rescued from Dunkirk between 27 May and 4 June 1940. A tidy story that often fails to mention the thousands of British troops left behind in France. Or the appalling weeks they faced, brave but vastly outnumbered by the German war machine.
One group that would not be leaving with the main body of the British Expeditionary Force (British forces in Europe, so called at the start of the war) evacuated at Dunkirk was largely made up of the 51st Highland Infantry Division.
Major-General Victor Morven Fortune’s 51st Highland were fighting as an integral part of the French 9th army, tasked with holding back the German army for as long as possible from the Maginot Line, back via the Somme, to the strategically important town of Abbeville and finally aiming for the Channel coast to be evacuated and redeployed.
The division was made up of the 2nd Seaforths, 1st Gordons, 4th Camerons, 4th Seaforths, 5th Gordons, 1st Black Watch, the Lothians, Norfolks and the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (Pioneers).
Winston Churchill had placed the 51st Highland under French command assuring the French that Britain would ‘never abandon her ally in her hour of need’.
10 June 1940
As soon as Major-General Fortune realised the 152nd and 153rd Brigades would not be able to reach Le Havre he made the decision to lead his troops, with a fair number of French solders (who had horses not tanks) to the small coastal port of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux. Still hoping for an orderly evacuation, Major-General Fortune alerted the Navy at 4am on 10 June.
He was unaware just how aggressively they were being pursued by the 5th and 7th Panzer Divisions. Hitler was desperate to avoid another Dunkirk.
11 June 1940
By 11 June troops were organised into a horseshoe shape from Veules-les-Roses across to the far side of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, but there were gaps. There was also no sign of the Royal Navy. Soon the Panzer divisions were attacking from the West.
Still hopeful, at 10am Major-General Fortune sent an order outlining the proposed evacuation:
“The Navy will probably make an effort to take us off by boat, perhaps to-night, perhaps in two nights. I wish all ranks to realise that this can only be achieved by the full co-operation of everyone. Men may have to walk five or six miles. The utmost discipline must prevail.
“Men will board the boats with equipment and carrying arms. Vehicles will be rendered useless without giving away what is being done. Carriers should be retained as the final rearguard. Routes back to the nearest highway should be reconnoitred and officers detailed as guides. Finally, if the enemy should attack before the whole force is evacuated, all ranks must realise that it is up to them to defeat them. He may attack with tanks, and we have quite a number of anti-tank guns behind. If the infantry can stop the enemy’s infantry, that is all that is required, while anti-tank guns and rifles inflict casualties on armoured fighting vehicles.”
Marching into hell
Both towns are in valleys between steep cliffs. As troops were pushed aggressively back by superior fire power and numbers, there was nowhere to escape. Each town had been reduced to a chaotic inferno by the enemy who kept up an onslaught of shelling, mortars, machine gun fire, grenades and even flame throwers.
Up on the cliffs, in spite of fierce defence, the 7th Panzers soon held cliff-top ground overlooking each harbour, making an evacuation highly dangerous.
The weather was also against them, thick fog kept 209 ships of the Royal Navy far out into the channel and as his men faced terrible odds, Major-General Fortune was unable to contact their rescuers.
Battle lights up the night sky
The battle did not stop as night fell. Under constant fire they endured a terrible night. At dawn many tried for the few boats they could see offshore, far fewer than were needed.
A soldier remembers
Those who reached the seashore edged along the foot of the cliffs with the hope of a sea rescue had to step around bodies of lost allies.
“We had to keep close in to the rocks and avoid attracting machine gun fire from the cliff top. As it was there were places where we could only advance by diving from cover to cover. As we progressed we came across the bodies of many of our soldiers and Frenchmen who had been caught in the cross-fire of the guns. Some lay at the water’s edge, washed by the tide. Others were poised in standing or crouching positions against the rocks where they had been shot. They looked so lifelike that we approached several of them to talk to them only to find their eyes sightless and their bodies rigid in death.“ Lt-Gen Sir Derek Lang.
At Veules-les-Roses soldiers fell down cliffs attempting to get away from the advancing Panzer Divisions, after tying whatever they had together to make a rope.
“Troops had tried to descend the three hundred foot high cliffs… few could have succeeded judging by the smashed bodies lying on the beach while a hundred and fifty feet above we could see the frayed ends of their ropes” Lt-Gen Sir Derek Lang.
12 June 1940; victory, death, or…
From the top of the cliffs the 7th Panzer Division shelled everything they saw. Down below General Fortune was still unable to contact the Royal Navy.
The Cerons took 300 soldiers before running fatally aground
The Highlanders were prepared to fight on to victory or to death. French officers did not like the odds of either option. At 8am on the foggy morning of 12 June 1940 the French army surrendered.
Major-General Fortune realised the British position was now hopeless and further sacrifice would be pointless. His men were exhausted; they had been fighting almost continuously since 27 May at Abbeville. They were short of ammunition, surrounded and vastly outnumbered. There would be no rescue by sea.
In an act of great courage Major-General Fortune made the most difficult decision of his career. The decision to surrender.
General Rommel accepted the surrender of the 51st Highland Division, at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux.
![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)](http://www.normandythenandnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/erwin-rommel-commander-7th-panzer-div-atih-major-gen-v-m-fortune-commander-51st-highland-after-surrender.jpg)
The pain of surrender
When Major-General Fortune sent down the order for his troops to surrender some refused thinking it a German trick. As they realised the awful truth initial disbelief was replaced by shock and some broke down in exhausted tears.
A few soldiers to the west of the town managed to escape and a few made it on foot to Le Havre and were evacuated. Others made their way through to Spain, Gibraltar before finally sailing home.
For most escape was impossible. Over 1000 had been killed and 4000 wounded. 8,000 were quickly marched into Germany and Poland to spend the rest of the war working in fields, factories and the salt mines of Thuringia alongside inmates of the Nazi concentration camps, as slave labour.
End of the Battle of France
The defeat of the 51st Highland Division was the end of British resistance in the Battle of France. On 22 June France and Germany would sign an Armistice, Normandy was under Occupation.
Return to Saint-Valéry-en-Caux
12 June 1940 was not the end of the 51st Highland Division – it was later reformed by some of the men who escaped and other regiments. After showing exceptional courage notably at Al Alamein, on 7 June 1944 they landed on Sword Beach, Normandy, 1 day after D-Day. It is estimated the 51st lost 25% of their soldiers in the following bitter Caen-Falaise battle.
As the Allies determinedly pushed back the German army, the 51st were chosen for a special task by Field Marshal Montgomery. He held back advancing Canadian troops so they could carry it out.
On 2 September 1944 the 51st Highland Division marched into Saint-Valéry-en-Caux. The 152 and 153 Brigades were allocated the positions of the old brigades in 1940. They were met by the Mayor and welcoming crowds. The little seaside town was free again.
The 51st return
Postscript
The bravery of the 51st Highlanders and the bond they forged with French Armoured Division while fighting at Abbeville played an important part in General Charles de Gaulle’s decision to continue the war and lead the Free French forces, fighting on the side of the Allies. De Gaulle stated: ‘For my part, I can say that the comradeship of arms, sealed on the battlefield of Abbeville in May–June 1940, between the French armoured division, which I had the honour to command, and the gallant 51st Scottish Division under General Fortune, played its part in the decision which I made to continue the fight at the side of the Allies, to the end, come what may’.
As a prisoner of war, Major-General Fortune stayed with his men, famously refusing repatriation after suffering a stroke. He worked tirelessly to try and secure for prisoners of war what they needed in the camps. He won the admiration of his own men and the Germans who oversaw. Victor Fortune died in 1949 fully recognised for his courage and dedication; Major-General Sir Victor Morven Fortune KBE, CB, DSO.
Today, the proud legacy of the 51st Highland Division lives on in 51 (Scottish) Brigade, the current Headquarters Brigade of 2 UK Division, based at Stirling Castle.
Visit Veules-les-Roses
There is no military museum, you can’t buy the usual memorial coins. But at the top of the cliffs to the north you will see a powerful monument that helps to keep this important story alive. The anniversary of liberation is enthusiastically celebrated.
- Read a news item about the Highlander’s return (kilts and bagpipes of course!) for the 2014 anniversary of liberation.
Find out more
Lots online about the proud history of the 51st Highland Division.
Secondhand copies can still be found online of Lt-Gen Sir Derek Lang’s remarkable war dairy “Return to St Valery: An Escape through Wartime France” published in 1974 but written from notes made just months after the war.
Phyllis, I just stumbled across your post on this article. Funnily, myself and Jim Burns just connected with with Ara Mcfarlane in the last week.
My Father, William Connell and Jim Burns Father, George Burns both were in the Saint Hypollite prison and Fort de la Revere with Frank Mcfarlane. All three participated in the September 5 1942 mass escape, unfortunately our Father’s were caught at some point and ended up as POWs until the end of WW2.
Both our Father’s were both bakers in the RASC, and in the area around Dunkirk in 1940 when the German Blitzkrieg invaded Belgium and France.
We have been going back and forth with Ara exchanging information, you have my contact info so reach out anytime, not sure where you live as I’m in the US and there will probably be a time difference. Hopefully this reaches you.
Regards,
Scott
My father in law was captured and escaped after Dunkirk he was in the queens royals,I am seeking information on names of those who did likewise. his name is Steven Timmins Wheeler, he later fought at El Alamein
Thanks
Thomas Hoare was there too…
My uncle William (Bill Turnbull) a medic was captured at St Valerie with the 51st – served as a POW he was later repatriated with wounded.
A quiet man and against taking another human life – he joined up as a medic where he knew he would be in front line danger but not involved in taking life. A war objector with conscience yes – a coward NO.
A true hero of a man sadly missed. God rest uncle Bill , I wish I knew toe better.
JCRT
My uncle, John Cockburn, signed up just before the outbreak of the war in the summer of 1939. He workd as a wireless operator in an artillery unit that was either attached to or a part of the 51st Division. He and a couple of buddies “liberated” a truck and just barely escaped capture at St Valery. They were evacuated from some coastal port, but I don’t know which one. John served with the reconstituted 51st Division for the rest of the war and served in Greece, North Africa, Sicily and Northwest Europe. I don’t believe that he was every wounded. He wrote up his war experiences but his memoir was very tragically discarded after his death.
iMy father, who served in the Royal Artillery, escaped from Dunkirk and reached Gibraltar. He never spoke about it. Has anyone any idea how many did this and how they managed the journey?
search ‘Ones who Got Away’ on this website- Gunner Martin’s story
My father George Smith also served with the Royal Arterillery and met members of his father’s old regiemnt, the Cameron Highlanders, just outside St Valery. Like many others he did not talk about it but, unlike the vast majority he was not captured. I understand that he was able to escape in a fishing boat acqured by him and the Cameron HIghlanders
Just read this, and my dad William Dykes was also in the Royal Artillery and with the BEF. He didn’t leave France via Dunkirk, and told me (he died in 1978 aged just 58) he also escaped in a fishing boat. His story was his group split-up; some went to one port and were captured, and he and some others when to another and found a boat. He also said that they pushed their 25-pounder gun over cliffs to stop it being captured. I’ve been reading Case Red (“Fall Rot”) about the German invasion plan, which tells of the escape of 3000 Brits from Veules-les-Roses. Perhaps our dad’s were on the same boat!
Hello Ian,
My name is Célestin and I live in Seine-Maritime about forty kms from St-Valéry. I am currently writing a book on the Second World War in Seine-Maritime and I am looking for testimonies on the episode of St-Valéry in June 1940. Your father’s story seems interesting to me and I would very much like to exchange with you. Do not hesitate to contact me at my address: sannicelestin0408@gmail.com
My Father escaped from ville de roses.
He was with the RHA and went on to fight in N Africa (Tobruk) and Italy
Interesting site but you must update the units in the Div as you have completely ingnored the 7th and 8th Argyll’s. In particular the 7th lost over 23 officers and over 500 men 80 yrs ago tomorrow. It is very depressing to find no mention of either. Incidentally what was left combined and became part of Arkforce which did get lifted from France and so what remained of 154 Bde actually returned to the U.K.
Hi Mike, I would be interested to learn more about the 8th Argyll’s role at Saint Valery and Veules des Roses. I have posted before that the obituary of my wife’s grandfather stated that he was evacuated from St Valery. This may have meant Veules des Roses. Or did the remnants of the 8th escape to Le Havre?
My grandfather was captured at st valery and marched to Poland where he spent 5 years as a POW, I wrote off to the MOD and red cross and managed to obtain all his war records, capture card and soldier card. I’ve got a brilliant photo of him and his squad before they were sent off with the BEF at the start of the war just 19 years old. I will be happy to share any of this with any one if anyone wants.
You must be so proud Michael. If you would like your Grandfather’s photo added to our story, please let us know.
My father Sapper Horace Johnson was I captured at St. Valery-en-Caux June 12, 1940 with some 6000 men of the 51st Highland Division, I’m in the process of self publishing his manuscript and photographs. I hope to soon accomplish his dream to have his book in print since his true escape was not believed by the many publishers her in the USA. Truly, our fathers were of
the greatest generation. Escaping out of a Nazi Pw camp while in solitary confinement during a blizzard in Jan. 1943, Sapper Johnson ( Paddy) evaded the Nazis by any means possible. He and Robert Easterbrook were hid by brave Polish farmers as they sought ID papers to leave the occupied territories. The names, dates, places of other British hero’s as well as photos from Stalag XXB are in the book. My dad is in heaven now, but his amazing heroic true life during WWII will remain for those who know these events must not be forgot.
How do I obtain war records from the Red Cross plus any other information.
My maternal grandfather was captured at St Valery, aged 38, and held in Stalag XXA (Thorun, Poland) until 1945. He died, aged only 58, in August 1960. I have some very early memories of him., but in recent years have developed a keen interest in this part of the conflict, and POW experiences. I live in Aberdeen which has an excellent museum to the history of the Gordon Highlanders, part of the 51st and the BEF. I attended the launch of the museum’s book St Valery and its Aftermath, and my review, with details of how to obtain the book, are here (it concentrates solely on the Gordons, and regimental members involved).
My father was a Royal Engineer and also captured at St Valery and held in Stalag XXA
My father was a Royal Engineer also captured at St Valery. I have a letter sent to his mother dated 22. 5. 40 B.E.F. A newspaper cutting with his photo, name, age,29 and rank L.Sergeant, of the 26th Field Company, missing since June 7th. Next a Postkarte from Stalag 111A dated 19. 1. 41 then a letter dated 17. 10. 41 from Stalag XXA,, a camp Xmas card dated 0. 1. 42, A card from Stammlager 111D dated 22. 10. 44 and the last one dated 22 Feb 1945. I’m guessing the 111D camp was because he was Irish. He stayed in the army and was stationed in Germany after the war.
Is your father still with us? He may have known your father. Mine has written about XXB but knew if XXA.
My father also was in the Royal Engineers at St Valery and was originally believed to be “missing presumed dead”, but was named in a propoganda broadcast by Lord Haw Haw and eventually traced by the Red Cross in Stalag IXC. He never talked about his experiences during the warto myself or my sister.
My father was not at St. Valery . But he was included with the survivors of the great men who fought there. My father was captured nearby and made the long walk to Germany and Poland with them. He is still alive at 102 and has begun speaking about the war since he turned 100. He always spoke about these heroes with great pride. I am providing the link to my fathers you tube video where he talks about his experiences. https://youtu.be/o7QaMTk6I-0. He might not reveal answers to your questions but he was with them.
Thank you Colleen. I was born in Yorkshire too. My dad escaped and married my Mom after the War. Your dad was a hero to last 5 years in that camp. Ask him if he heard of Horace ( Paddy) Johnson.
Hi there…..my uncle was also caught at St Valery and marched to Poland were he spent years as a POW. Could you give me information on how to get the history and records as you’ve done please…..his name was Leonard Arthur Mason. THANK YOU
Bonjour,
Je m’appelle Célestin et j’écris un livre actuellement sur l’histoire de la Seine-Maritime durant la seconde guerre mondiale. St-Valéry-en-Caux étant un point majeur de la campagne de France, je souhaite raconter quelques histoires de soldats qui ont vécu cette terrible période. Je serais donc intéressé par l’histoire de votre grand-père. N’hésitez pas à m’écrire à l’adresse-mail suivante : sannicelestin0408@gmail.com. Merci
There was a documentary on Channel 4 in 2018 called Dunkirk The Forgotten Heroes, it is still available on catchup TV. This is worth a watch as it explains what happened to the 51st HD at St Valery
My father Oswald Riou escaped from st Valerie he was the last person to be picked up after spending many hours in the water ,sadly he would never talk about it .as st Valerie was kept almost secret for so many years I would like to know more .
I have posted on this site before and have a word copy of my uncle – Albert Dawkins account of his actions, escape, capture, escape, capture and final journey to UK via Spain – Happy to end you a copy which may provide a flavour.
Regards
Neil
Carole my father was a Canadian sailor on the StLaurent , a destroyer. He made three trips to the beach. And was interviewed by our local paper at the time. We have that and a book that also mentions it. We plan to visit on Oct 13th.
Would love to read your local newspaper
Bonjour. L’arrière grand père de ma femme avait eu une moto 16h, donc anglaise qui devait certainement provenir e la 51 ieme. Je cherche a savoir si la 51 ieme avait des motos. Est ce que quelqu’un peut m’aider? Cordialement.
My wife’s grandfather, John Anderson, was in the 8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and from Campbeltown. He won the MM in 1943 in Italy as a Sergeant but was wounded and died in 1944. According to newspaper reports of his MM award and his death, he was evacuated from St Valery in 1940. We have no further information but would love to hear how he escaped and why he might have been at St Valery and not Le Havre.
Hi, Jon. My father was also in the 8th Bn A&SH; was wounded and captured June 1940 when remnants of the 7th & 8th Bns
were forced to surrender.A detailed account of the 8th Bn’s
actions from the time of their arrival in France in early Feb 1940 until their surrender or evacuation from Le Havre in June 1940 is given in The History of the A&SH 8th Bn 1939 – 47 by Lt.-Col. A D Malcolm. The book also includes the following on page 169 (Nov 25 1944):
“One particularly successful reconnaissance was carried out by Sgt. Anderson, who spent several hours examining the enemy dispositions and brought back a clear and accurate description. To do the last part is by no means easy, especially after moving, as he had to, for 800 yards in the dark over country intersected with hedges and ditches, and broken up into many vineyards and cultivations.”
Pse contact me if you would like further info.
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike,
Thought I would receive a notification if there was a reply so just by chance had a look tonight and found your reply. Yes, thanks, we have a scanned copy of the book. We also have his MM medal citation and just recently were honoured to be given his medal by his daughter, my wife’s mother. We have read that some soldiers in the west of St Valery escaped to Le Havre where they were evacuated. Also over 2,000 were rescued from Veules-Les-Roses just to the east of St Valery. We are thinking this is the most likely location of his evacuation as it might have been regarded in general terms as St Valery in the news.
my father andrew valentine mcgougan argyle and sutherand’s captured at st valery, taken prisoner of war/ prisoner of war number 13538 stalag 206, marienburg
I am trying to find out any information about the soldiers who escaped from St Valery and how they managed it. My late father was at St Valery and got home somehow, I am trying to find out how.
My father was in the 51st Highland Div. Thats all I know as he never spoke about the war. He had 5 boys and lastly a girl who was called Valery after St Valery . The amount of telling offs I got at school when I spelt her name the French way.
A few years ago whilst out and about I met a gentle man called Bill Stirton and after chatting for a while discovered he was at St Valery with my dad, he produced a photograph of himself and a few fellow soldiers including my dad, dated august 1941 after St Valery. Sadly Bill has since passed away but I felt privellaged to have met him and spend some time with him. So if anyone has information on how they escaped I would be gratetful
A memoire of three Ballachulish escapees
Kenneth MacColl, who works with Jim Mather, has given us this memoire of the escape of three men form Ballchulish after the surrender of the 51st Highland Division. Ken met two of these men when he was a young boy and heard their story first hand.
‘One group of prisoners that escaped from the POW column after capture at St Valery were three men from Ballachulish, close to my birthplace of Kinlochleven.
‘They were members of ‘C’ Company of the 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders –
‘They created a diversion then slipped out of the line, hiding under a bridge until the detachment had disappeared.
‘They then headed south and east, living off the land and their wits, getting involved in some alarming escapades including, at one time, coming across a deserted monastery complete with wine cellar!! The more staid member of the threesome had some difficulty in persuading his companions that they should move on.
‘Stopped on several occasions they passed themselves off as ‘Russians’ or from the East by vaguely indicating that they were from the East and speaking only in Gaelic.
‘They were helped by partisans and by locals as they crossed the Pyrenees in atrocious weather.
‘After a catalogue of adventures they eventually got to neutral Portugal and a freighter that, via Gibraltar not Portugal, delivered them back to the Clyde.
‘As a small boy I was thrilled to meet two of the three: ‘Ginger’ Wilson, who was working in the North Ballachulish Hotel after the war; and ‘Big’ Kemp – his name was Willie, who was later in the Police in Glasgow. (The third man was Corporal MacDonald, also from Ballachulish.)
‘All three are long gone although I understand that they were belatedly decorated for their exploits.
Hi, Angus.
My father was in the 8th and I have a letter to him from Ginger Wilson dated 1978 in which Ginger tells of the fighting at the chateau at Belloy when he helped save my father’s life. He also talks of his escape with Kemp and Macdonald following the surrender of C & D Companies at Belloy. All three were awarded the Military Medal.
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike, I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your father’s and Ginger Wilson’s involvement in the defence of the chateau at Belloy. I am currently writing a history of the 7th Royal Norfolk Regiment which was attached to the 51st HD. One of its platoons fought at Belloy and I have accounts from two of the men who were there. I can be reached at sjsnelling@sky.com
Hello , I am Willie Kemp’s niece and I still live in Ballachulish . I have written accounts of the escape of the three Ballachulish men , one from my uncle Willie Kemp and the other from Ginger Wilson. Sandy ‘Blood’ MacDonald was the husband of my lower primary class teacher Jenny MacDonald so I knew him well as a child. I and also was given documents and accounts from the late Archie Lee who was with the BBC during the war working in radio and the Norfolks are mentioned . A couple of years ago a film company got in touch with me as they were making a film which they said was based on the story and I’m so glad I had the common sense to refuse to have any contact with them as the film they produced had almost no connection with the story at all and was absolutely awful. Quite a few years ago a radio dramatisation was made in Gaelic which my late father Jimmy said was very good . My uncle Calum (Callie Kemp) was also captured with his brother Willie but he was injured having been shot in the combat and couldn’t escape with the other Ballachulish men. Callie spend the rest of the War as a POW. I have a great photograph postcard of him from the POW camp in his prison camp shinty team gear !!! I also have a CD recording of my uncle and also Ginger speaking about their escape . Uncle Willie’s medals are in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle .
Hi Mike.
I’ve just came across this site while researching my mother’s cousin named John Turner. He was also in the 8th Argylls and at the Belloy chateau. I’ve heard a couple of stories from older family members from him being hospitalised to being interrogated.
Have you came across his name in your own research ?
Thanks
David
William Kemp was my uncle. He lived latterly in Abedeen and died there in 1981.
My Uncle Albert (Bert) Dawkins was captured and subsequently escaped (3 times) eventually making it to Spain. He was repatriated retrained and sent to Libya and Sicily. Eventually badly wounded at Monte Casino and sent home. He had a good life and passed away in 1996. I have a full documented account of his exploits.
Alistair my father was in the Canadian Navy on the St Laurent. He went to the beach three times and brought back the most men. His destroyer sent three boats. One, the guy was shot, the other would only make one trip. This was the only story my father would talk about and he served from 1938 to 1945. He was finally injured I never Murmansk. We plan to. Be in St Valery Oct 13/19.
I was also named Valerie as my dad also,escaped on the 13 of June from St Valery he was with the Duke of Wellington reg .he also never talked much about i. It and as fare as I I know he was rescued on a Frenchman fishing boat . If you want more information my brother in law knows more about it than me..
Hi Valerie, My grandfather was also a part of the 2/7 Duke of Wellington reg and I am looking for more information if you have it.
Hi Alistair, my Dad was a CSM with the East Surrey Regiment who were trying impossibly to hold a line against German tanks. His officer disappeared and he tried to get his men back to St. Valery but were told that wasn’t possible so they headed west to Vueles les Roses where they were lucky to see a few evacuation boats and managed to get on even though there was heavy shelling from the Germans. I think a few guys from other regiments also got off there.
Hi Alistair, my father, Charles Jaggs was a diver in the RASC attached to the 51st Highland Division , he was at St Valery , he said General Fortune said if any man wanted to try to escape rather than go into captivity it was a personal decision. My father, with others walked to Veules- les- Roses where they spent the night on the beach being shelled from the cliffs, the next morning three ships appeared and sent small boats to pick them up, he said one ship was sunk but the others picked up survivors, I’ve never been able to find a reference to these ships taking them off the beach on 12 June.
I hope you find this of interest.
Denise
My grandad was in the Norfolk Regiment that was attached to the 51st. His war records say he was a POW in Germany until the autumn of 1943 when he was repatriated due to ill health (TB). Its really difficult to find any details surrounding the events of his repatriation and details about his hospital stay once home.
Hi, I’m currently writing a history of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment, which was attached to the 51st HD in 1940, and would be happy to share any information. I can be reached at sjsnelling@sky.com
My Grandfather Gnr James William Preston, also with 1RHA attached the 51Hd, went on the long march, and was forced to work in the Salt mines with some Polish POW, said the Germans never went down there with them due to the number of ‘accudents’ They had when guarding the Poles.
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch and how interesting!
My great grandfather was there commanding L company of the Duke of Wellingtons. He was recorded for the DCM for actions that day and it was downgraded to an MID. Regardless. The story is incredible and I’m fortunate that he wrote a 3 page report on the battle. Please contact me as I would like to discuss this article further with someone and perhaps pass some of my information along. It’s very detailed.
My grandfather was in 2/7 btn Duke of Wellingtons. Mentioned in despatches, I’ve just found the record. Was he under your great grandfather’s command?
My husband read your comment with interest since his father was with RHA , was captured at St Valery and marched to Poland. He was gunner C G Davies and never talked about his time as a POW but my husband, Leslie Davies ,thought he may have worked in a coal mine and there was mention of Stalag 8B?
My husband was reading a piece in today’s Times about 80th anniversary of St Valery and asked if I could find out anything about RHA at that time.
I would be really grateful if you are able let me know how my husband can get further information about his Father’s capture and time as POW. Would there be an enquiry site with the MOD perhaps?
My Dad Lorraine Hughes born Barry South Wales, served with the 51st Highland Division London Scottish in WW2. He did come home at wars end and then worked like blazes. He rarely spoke of his experiences except amusing ones. It seems from what he did say that everywhere there was a battle, he was in it. He did come home and then worked like blazes to support his family. If any one knows of him I would really like to hear of his exploits.
Peter Hughes
*Chatting with Peter he added that fellow veterans called his Dad ‘Padre’. If you knew Lorraine Hughes, or have heard about his war time exploits, please do get in touch and we’ll put you in touch with Peter.
Named after St Valery, I was born June 15, 1951, after my father Harry returned from 5 yrs in a pow camp – post the battle at St Valery, and after also participating as a rear gunner at Dunkirk. I have written a book about my experience with this man as my
Dad, who died when I was 19, after we had emigrated to Australia. The rigours and sadness of Post War Syndrome were undoubtedly felt by millions involved in the World Wars, and we are only just now getting an understanding of the effect of war upon generations, and generations after them. Hats off, to all those young and older guys. We appreciate our freedom so much!
Valery Murphy
You might also like a postscript – some of the men of the 51st who were captured after Dunkirk ended up in Laufen Castle, near Strasbourg – and to exercise they created a Scottish dance, the Reel of the 51st, written by Lieutenant J.E.M. ‘Jimmy’ Atkinson of the 7th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders . His idea of a reel with a Saint Andrew′s Cross in its key formation was intended to symbolise Scotland and the Highland Division, in adversity. Atkinson’s letter home with instructions for the dance was intercepted by the German security service, the Abwehr, who spent the rest of the war trying to break the code. However, I was told when learning the dance that the men sent coded letters to their wives and sweethearts who put the dance together and so, when returned, they were able to dance with their loved ones. , It is a lovely reel to dance, although it is often danced in a set composed entirely of men.
Kathryn that is an amazing story! Thank you, we’ve found now found the Reel here and are digging around for a photo.
See this YouTube demo – https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/video/reel-of-the-51st-division.html
Brilliant, thank you Kathryn! – Introducing the Reel of the 51st Highland Division Scottish country dance written by Lieutenant J.E.M. ‘Jimmy’ Atkinson of the 7th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders while in a POW camp during the Second World War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaaJAaEQ2a8
If you watch the video in tribute to those who sacrificed so much which includes photos of my father in POW camp after he was captured at St Valerie you can see the reel is still performed during the commemorations in June each year. June 2020 will see the 80th commemorations and we will be there again.
My dad was one of English soldiers attached to the 51st HD.
Thomas Wilson R A, 1st Regiment R H A attached to the 51st H D in 1939, he told me that they had to destroy the guns etc once they knew it was over for them and their leader had surrendered, my Dad was not very fond of the French soldiers. He spent all the rest of the war as a P O W in Stalag VID Dortmund XX1 B Schubin, in 1944 they moved to XXB/C/Z.
I don’t know if he was on the long march but from what I know rescued on the Lunaberger side and within 3 days was back in Bulford Camp.
PS my Dad never hated the German people he did say that times were hard but he liked the farm work when he got it I even have a photo of the German family that he worked for.
One little thing, after a good few years working one day he fell down, they found a brain tumor. Some said it could have been from the rifle buts and bad treatment during his POW times, he ended up with a shunt to the brain to drain fluids and lived until late 70tys. It’s been great to read this post.
Thank you for sharing your Father’s amazing story Stewart.
Good morning,
I’m doing research on the St-Valéry episode and your father’s story interests me a lot. If you would like to contact me at my address: sancelestin0408@gmail.com
My grandfather who was in the Black Watch at St Valery, also told us of escaping from St Valery by tying their rifle straps together to climb down the cliffs.
Thanks Gary, Black Watch showed incredible bravery, its good to hear your Grandfather lived to tell the tale.
My father was also qt ST VALERY and escaped, Im trying to find out how they got home to UK,did boats come for them? Any ideas?
Visiting Veules-les Roses on 4th. October, where – in Autumn ’44 – my wife’s uncle Captain Angus Stewart (an Argyll, but ADC to Colonel Rennie of Black Watch) came back from the Rhine to attend unveiling of monument to 51st. Highland Div. in gratitude for their attempt to protect the villagers in those terrible days of June’40……..where his older brother Dugald was taken prisoner.
Have prepared history of Angus’s war, and are going to leave a copy with the Mayor. Angus died in April this year, but (having gone in on D-Day) was awarded Legion d’Honneur on his 95th. birthday in April 2016, by French consul for SW England.
Thank you for sharing your family’s history, it’s good to hear you have recorded their WW2 stories and a copy will be left with the town, where it will mean so much.
Hello
could you contact me please, I am interested in the story of Captain Angus Stewart
best regards
Mathieu
My Dad William Albert Hogg ( known as Bert ) and sadly now deceased was with the Lothians and Border Horse at St Valery. He was Corporal, Tank Driver with HQ Company and was with Colnels Ansell and Younger just before the surrender. They split up into smaller parties. My Dad enjoyed the delights of Bad Sulza. Younger was killed and Ansell was badly wounded and blinded. In my youth he was on TV annually at the Horse of the Year Show.
Maybe the could make a sequel to Dunkirk all about the 51st. But if one reads Saul David’s excellent book on this subject I am sure that the ‘establishment’ will close ranks.
Still, Dad was a proud Lothian to his dying day!
Thank you for sharing your Dad’s story Ray, proud to have it on the site.
Hi Ray, I don’t know if you are aware but the “Lothians” have recently reformed as part of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry. The bravery of the Lothians at St Valery is well known to us but we would welcome any stories about your Father and the Lothians.
Our HQ building is named Younger House in memory of Harry Younger.
My father did not talk much about his war experiences but his health was affected post war.He was a regular army soldier from Wales recalled just after marrying.He was in Scotland and was part of the51 st highland division as a dispatch rider.I have heard him describe how a group of men tied their rifle straps together scaled down the cliff found an old rowing boat in a cave .. with no oars and set out to sea rowing with helmets.they were eventually picked up by a Dutch boat and taken to Poole in Dorset.He said I didn’t want to spend the rest of the war in a P,o,w, camp.That is the only report I have heard him talking about I have been to the cliff top memorial more than once.My dad later was in n.Africa ,Sicily,Italy and Europe….he was a sergeant.no further info I regret
Thank you for sharing this vivid piece of family and WW2 history Viv
Nice write up on the events in St Valery – this deserves as much publicity as possible as yet again Dunkirk – the film – takes all the attention. 51st Highland division also included the 7th & 8th battalions of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. My father was in the 8th battalion captured at Chateau de Belloy on the Somme on June 7th 1940 and thereafter 5 years in Stalag IXC in Bad Sulza, nr Leipzig before being liberated by the Americans on 3rd April 1945..
Thank Mike. Glad to add your notes about the 7th & 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and your father, here.
Hello
could you contact me please, I am interested in the story of your father.
I live a few kilometers from Chateau de Belloy.
best regards
Mathieu
My father Private Angus Gunn C Coy 8th Btn A&SH was one of the 150-170 men who held out at Belloy and on the 8th June 1940 surrendered to the Germans.They then spent 5 years as POWs inSilesia and Germany.Three of them escaped and made their way to Spain before being repatriated to the UK.Almost all of C Coy came from the Ballachulish area of Argyll and although they all knew each other I rarely heard them discussing their experiences.
Angus – will you be heading to St Valery en Caux for the 80th anniversary in 2020 ? I intend to – be good to catch up if you are there – Mike
I’m planning to be there. I’ve been twice before. My Father served with the Gordon Highlanders and was captured on 12th June, 1940 on the outskirts of St Valery en Caux.
Hi my dad served with the Gordons too. he was captured in June 1940 and spent rest of the war in prison camp and working in coal mine and salt mine working along side consentration camp detainees.
Dear Mathieu
Please forgive me for not replying sooner – I have not returned to this page for a long time. Very happy to share any other information which may be of interest.
My e-mail is mrogersmaa@aol.com
Best wishes
Mike
Hi, Mathieu.
could you contact me please. My father was also wounded and captured at the Chateau de Belloy, and I would like to visit next May/June.
Cheers
Mike
My Grandfather Arthur Morris was also a POW at Stalag 1XC in Bad Sulza for 5 years, he served with the Royal Norfolks who were with the 51st highlander division when captured at St Valery En Caux.
Stephen
Will you be heading to St Valery en Caux for the 80th anniversary in 2020 ? I intend to – be good to catch up if you are there – Mike
Hi, Mike.
Hope you’re still checking this site. My father was also in the 8th , badly wounded and captured at the chateau in Belloy. I have pictures of Dad at Stalag IXC (I think he was there because he needed the good medical facility that was attached) and also in Oflag IXA/Z. Dad was re-patriated in late 1943.
Looking to go to Belloy on the anniversary next year; if you’re interested, please email me.
Cheers
Mike
Mike Rogers, My great uncle, George Ellis Ormerod was originally with King’s Royal Rifle Corps ( he had served in the army prior to WW2 and only been out for 6 months prior to being re-enlisted) but was also captured at St Valery (according to Red Cross report). He too was sent to Stalag 9C Bad Sulza but did not last until liberation. Would love to hear/read any information you might have about that time. I read the book ‘Ticket to Hell via Dieppe’ which has several chapters on that camp and what I believe is the story of my great uncle sustaining injuries.
Excellent web site telling the detailed story of the Highland Division. Just one small point, the Highland Division Memorial is on the cliffs upove St Valery en Caux and not Veules-les-Roses as indicated above!
Thank you, yes quite right and now all amended.
Thank you. The memorial stone in the picture is in honour of my father who went through the hell of St Valery and then spent 5 years as a POW
Thank you for sharing that Susan. We are pleased to help remember this important piece of history.
Susan,
The “Lothians”have recently reformed, we’d welcome any stories you could provide about them and your Father, we are located in Redford Barracks Edinburgh and are part or The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry
Happy to provide details of my dads service and what he went through in St Valery and as a POW. Please send me your e mail details. My husband and I will be travelling to St Valery this June for the 80th anniversary. My husband has joined the Facebook page of the Lothians and we contribute.
My grandad was a trooper and part of the 1st battalion Lothian and Borders and was captured during the surrender in June 1940 and by the looks of a letter we have a photo of went to Stalag VIII B E. I’m trying to find out a bit more about him. He was POW from 12 June 1940 till 1945. Hiya name was John Ormston and his number was 17354. Not sure where to start?
Just to add that in the Town Hall, Hotel de Ville, is a Salle d’Ecossais (Scottish room) dedicated to 51 st HD with displays. Have been there 2 or 3 times, once with my father in law, Pte Thomas Anderson from Larkhall or Glasgow who was serving with the 51st in Gordon Highlanders. He escaped from the pow column overnight stop. Recaptured and twice more escaped. He went back for reunions 1980’s 1990’s. He passed away in 2000. When we visited in 1985 he was amazed to see the memorial. It had been consecrated by his parish priest Rev IRONSIDE from Cathcart Glasgow. We hade met several of the families who helped him during his escape around Bethune area. We now live in Normandy, to the south but visit sometimes.
Hello Alan,
Thank you for posting this information. I am researching my uncle, Frank McFarlane RASC who was captured at St. Valery. He escaped from the column about 10 or 11 days later at Auchy, was helped by the local resistance and spent many months in the Bethune, Lille area before being recaptured, and escaping another 4 times, twice from St. Hippolyte and twice from Forte de le Revere. He was eventually brought home via the Pat O’Leary escape line and rescued off the beach near Perpignon. My family and I will be visiting Bethune in October and hope to meet with the families of Frank’s helpers. I’m wondering if they are the same folks who helped your father-in-law. Would love to discuss more with you. I have names of some of Frank’s helpers. Please feel free to email me at pweretka@gmail.com