Battle of St Valery 70th Anniversary Tribute.wmv

[@53vally]

My Father was shot and Captured at St Valery it took 4 bullets to bring him down but he survived and spent the next years getting Moved around camps in Poland he was in the Seaforth Highlander.He often spoke about the friends he lost in the Ambush .Strangely enough he called me Valerie RIP Dad xx

[@russellwillingham1536]

My uncle was with 51st Seaforth hilanders

[@valerieanne225]

My French friends Papa was making documents for French Jews and children until he was caught n shot leaving a wife n 2 little girls. N is now about 80 and a faithful prayer warrior. Definitely some Russian in blood line. + R V Jones wrote "Secret War" about sacks of carrots hiding radio receivers.

[@53vally]

@russellwillingham1536 sadly the boats left without them 😢 A lot got captured or killed in St Valery.

[@lindabootland2008]

My father was one of those men who was captured, he was in the 51st then marched 100 miles to be taken to a POW stalag 383 and spent 4 years. These men should not have been forgotten. To all who lost there lives and to those who returned I salute you, and I say thank you.

[@annemccarthy5073]

My dad and his brothers , was there. I love you all, dad. Your daughter Anne McCarthy. Xx

[@trackrellies284]

My father was captured at St Valery, he wasn't in the 51st Highland Division but in the 44th LAA bty which had been maneovering around northern France for a while providing cover with their bofor guns to other troops, including 51st Highland Divn. Like so many others, he was just 20 years of age and spent the rest of the war incarcerated in various POW camps across Germany, Poland and the then Silesia. Forced labour, frostbite, starvation.....he suffered all this and then, escaping as the Americans started bombing the area around the camp, he managed a winter trek across the Hartz mountains to freedom, finally meeting up with an American column near Kassel. As I grew up I realised my Dad had suffered. He was given to outbursts of temper and was never very sociable. Not until my 50's did I really begin to understand what his experiences in war, and especially around St Valery had done to such a young man. They are not remembered enough in my view....there's was not a heroic war, no battle honours or mighty feats - just the war of survival as a prisoner in some of the most inhospitable places in Europe.

[@paca_bill4863]

I am amazed and in awe of those who have responded in the comments section whose relatives were in the 51st. It is truly an inspiration that so many are aware, and it is a testament that those brave soldiers will not be forgotten, and their sacrifice will be remembered. I don't believe there could be a finer tribute than that.

[@stevenbeaumont3172]

My grandfather was caught at saint valley,51st highland division.hes 98 years old and still going strong,my hero!!

[@chriswoods6713]

Wonderful, he is very much one of the last survivors. Will you be at the 80th anniversary in June?

[@chriswoods6713]

Steven Could you get in touch please as I am working with an author on a book about the 7th Norfolks and St Valery. Would love to talk to your Grandfather if possible? regards Chris Woods [e-mail]

[@53vally]

Fantastic he is still going he was lucky to Survive after getting left behind .My dad was shot and captured in a ambush lost a lot of friends but he survived the camps and the March at the end of the war my Hero sadly passes away in 1997.

[@Bruce-1956]

I was there a week ago. It's one of the few place I've ever been where the Saltire flies in pride of place the whole year round. When the 51st was captured they were not fighting for Scotland but for France, as they had been put under French command by Churchill. The coast from St. Valery to Dieppe is mostly chalk cliffsand there are few places where troops could be embarked without being snipped at by the Germans. We will remember them.

[@Tomtonbuster]

My Dad was in the 4th Camerons. He was 17 at the time of St Valery. After being captured he and a friend managed to escape (as they had been trained to do) and tried to rejoin the rest of the British troops - no-one told them they had gone. They then spent 16 months working their way South through France, evading capture, staying over the winter with Donald Caskie and finally into Spain where, after all their efforts, they were arrested for illegal entry and thrown into prison. The conditions in the Spanish 'civil war' prisons were horrendous, many escapees died. dad and his friend were finally evacuated via Gibraltar looking like skeletons. His book is still here with me, when I have finished researching it it will be published. It has been a painful journey.

[@Tomtonbuster]

People do need to remember these hard facts of war - any war. I'd love to hear any tales of the episode and the period because Dad's memoirs are incomplete and it is sometimes difficult to piece it together. I have read many books about the POWs and escapees but no two are the same because everyone took different routes, etc. It was a huge and often very unpleasant adventure and left scars for the rest of his life but I really want to see this through to publication in memory of all of them. The song states so clearly what the realities were - Dad similarly, could never go back to St Valery although he knew there were regular events there.

[@russellnornman2979]

My Father was Captured at St Valery on June 13/40 ......one Day before his Seventeenth Birthday.He was with the Royal Signals but ended up with the 51st Highlanders on the Retreat to St Valerie.Dad spent 5 Years Coal Mining in Poland and Germany.....he was 22 when he Finally got Home.Dad spoke quite openly about his Experiences good and Bad. I took my Dad to see "Saving Private Ryan" when it came out......the opening scene where the old Guy is walking through the Cemetery at Omaha Beach with his Family, the old Guy was the Image of my Dad in the way he Dressed , Looked and Walked. It was then that I decided that I was going to take him back to St Valerie.The Following year we Travelled from Canada with my Wife and Two (2) Sons, my Brother Travelled from California with his Family and my Mum and Dad......our Youngest Son was 16 at the Time the same age as when Dad was Caught.What a Trip.....Dad was the Tour Guide.We went to Omaha Beach and the Cemetery there was not a Dry Eye in the Place.Soon after the Trip we found out that Dad had Parkinson's in his Final Years the Horrors of War Caught up with him with all the bad Stuff coming back.We believe that Dad was Possibly the Youngest Army POW of the War.Dad Died in March 2009

[@callummcgregorenthusiast5545]

Russell Nornman your father was a hero. The bravest generation of men

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Russell Nornman You have my utmost sympathy my friend. My late father William Nicol, was a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment. He was in charge of escorting Germans, accused of war crimes to Nürnberg for trial. His brother, my Uncle Jim, was captured after D-Day by the Hitler-Jugend at Caën and ended the war in Stalag-Luft III, Sagan. The Scottish Regiments were always used by the English Establishment as first line troops.

[@dsclark1954]

Wonder if he knew my dad, Bill Clark from Kirkcaldy. He was Signals as well and captured at St Valery. My brother and I are putting together the route of the march from Thorn POW camp in Poland westwards to their meeting with advancing American troops. He kept a diary of the march.

[@essexaviarybirds2542]

My father was in the 51st highland div he escaped when he jumped into the sea and was picked up by a polish merchant ship

[@lindabootland2008]

Did you ever write down his experiences. As there is Facebook page 51st Division. And there a guy writing a story about St Valery-en-Caux. It would be very interesting to know his experiences . What Stalag was he final in. ??

[@davidsuttie4192]

My father too was a 51st highlander who survived this and was marched through France to a German prisoner of war camp... I took him back to St valerie about 10 years ago to visit the graves of his... Struggling for a fitting word here.. Going to use heroes.... I will forever be proud of my dad, may he rest in peace.

[@georgemccaffery6170]

My father who died 3 years ago was a Seaforth highlander and was captured at St Valery 11 .6.40 and was transfered from a Dulag to Stalag XXB on 10.7.40. He was in a few other camps having escaped a couple of times. He died a 3 years ago aged 90. A couple of good books by Sean Longden 1 Dunkirk and 2. Hitlers British slaves. It is an absolute disgrace that no honour or medal was given to those who fought the rearguard at Dunkirk. I write this through my unashamed tears

[@sichere]

I 100% agree - No medals for those left behind - Disgraceful.

[@53vally]

My Father was in the Seaforth Highlanders he was shot in St Valery he spent the rest of the war being moved around camps in Poland. He lost a lot of good friends that day. Strangely he called me Valerie. He died in Edinburgh his home town in 1997 aged 78.

[@ojg1910]

This is such a brilliant rendition of a beautiful song. My dad was captured in Greece in 1941 but in many ways his experience mirrored that of the 51st - Scots easily sacrificed, no recognition for the part played in the war. These stories must be kept alive. With so many threads to it - this song, the reel composed in captivity, the stained glass window in St Valery, De Gaulle's 1942 speech - the 51st's story has a huge role to play in that. Respect to all who served.

[@frank7455]

My father fought with Rommel's 7. tank division at St. Valery and was heavily wounded at St. Riquier-es-Plains (against the 1. Gordons, I suppose). He told me not much, but I remember one thing he said: "it was a hard fight". I know, the enemy had his full respect. You all can be proud of the 51st.

[@Ricky51stHDM]

I am a membre of a french association: "The 51st Highland Division memorial". And for us it's important the duty of memory. We will remember of them. Each year, we are in Normandy, and before with Bill Millin. The 51st Highland division was a great division. thanks for the video Chris.

[@motorcop505]

Eric Bancilhon Thank you for remembering them.

[@hopeontheriver]

Thank you for the video. My father Tom was in the Gordon Highlanders and captured 12 June 1940 at St Valery. He spent 3yrs, 136 days in captivity at Stalag 8B in Lamsdorf. His brother Davie was also a POW in Changi. I'm in awe of what these men endured.

[@MommyDolfin]

Thank you for posting this video; it brought tears for all the boys lost, so many of whom have been forgotten by today's generations. Reading Black Watch peaked my interest in story of St Valery which led to me finding this video. Next I will search for soldiers's memoirs & hopefully my dream of travelling to Europe will come true because St Valery will be there with Arnhem, Dunkirk, & Bastogne as places to visit. Again, thank you.

[@chesterflyer]

It was one of the greatest honours of my life to be at St Valery on the 70th Anniversary with the veterans of the 51st Highland Division and with two of the 7th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Their story is still not recognised or known by many. The bravest of the brave! Quo Fata Vocant!

[@AnneliseGeorgia]

My grandfather served 51st Highland division 1st battallion 153rd Brigade- Jock (john) Murphy (Spud) . Captured St Valerie June 1940. POW Stalaag XXA & XXB . He died in 1986 aged 75. A proud Scot. Thank you for this movie - It made me cry as it visualises what he told me when I took down his memoirs a few months before he died. Thank You. from the bottom of my heart

[@JeremyStone-HK]

My grandfather, Major Ian Kenneth Cockburn Hobkirk, MC MVO, was awarded his MC (Military Cross) for valour whilst commanding A Company, 4th Seaforth Highlanders at St Valery in 1940. He was captured and interned as a POW in Germany (1940 to 1945) at Oflag VIIB at Eichstatt, Bavaria.

[@patsyseddon6970]

Thanks for this Chris, a beautiful video with my late husband's song about a subject dear to his heart. He visited his uncle Robert in Canada but he would not talk about his experiences at St Valery, I think he got the personal info from his dad Jimmy. This is also depicted in The Great Tapestry of Scotland panel 131 which can be viewed online and in the beautiful hardback book (£25). The artist, Andrew Crummy, knew Davy's song so some words are on the main soldier's leg (perhaps uncle Robert) and the wee soldier in the boat is Davy's dad, allegedly. I was a stitcher on panel 135.

[@wendysteele9045]

Patsy Seddon Hello Patsy: Was your Father-in-law James Steele? By your post that is what I'm thinking. My Father-in-law was Robert Wilson Steele. This was such an Amazing tribute by Davy Steele.

[@patsyseddon6970]

@@wendysteele9045 Hi Wendy I've just spotted your message. Yes, my father-in-law was James Wilson Steele. Is your husband Robert and Mamie's son? My son is also James Steele

[@wendysteele9045]

@Patsy Seddon Hi Patsy: Yes, my husband is William Steele....Robert & Mamie’s son. You can email me at [e-mail] I would love to hear from you.

[@holidayhymn5034]

My great-uncle George Garden of the 51st lost his life here on June 11th 1940 and for me this is an emotional tribute to him and all the men that served with him there. To all those -- forever in our thoughts.

[@wendy07127]

My Grandfather Richard Bowman was a private in the 7th or 8th division of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, he died in May 1990 and never once talked about what happened to him in the war. He was captured at St Valery along with the 51st Highland division and was sent to Stalag ix-c in Bad Sulza which is near Liepzig. After my gran died a few years ago we found pictures that my grandpa had from his time as a P.O.W, I have over 30 some have him in them but most show many prisoners who we do not know. My Dad and I took the pictures to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders museum at Stirling Castle, which is a great place to learn the history of the regiment. The song this video was set to is very poignant, especially the line about the last boat leaving with the brother on it waving back to his brother who was left stranded as my grandpa's brother was rescued from St Valery, while leaving my grandpa behind. Thank you for making your video.

[@motorcop505]

Wendy Lyttle You must be so incredibly proud of your grandad.

[@asjalane2289]

Wendy Lyttle hhb

[@wendy07127]

@@motorcop505 I have just seen your message, I am so very proud of grandpa x

[@donaldtravis4087]

My father was captured at St Valery he spent the rest of the war in Poland Stalag XXA and XXB Thorn. Marched back by the Germans in the winter of 44 45 ruined his health but not his spirit . God Bless him. 7th Batt Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

[@penhillam5598]

Yes my father was also in Stalag xxB AND XXA

[@PlampinUK]

In memory of my great uncle, Alex Ross, Black Watch, killed at Houdetot on the outskirts of St Valery in June 1940, aged 21. Thank you for this.

[@taylorman6148]

Thank you for this very moving video. My father was captured at St Valery on 12 June 1940 he was with the 51st Highland Division. Known as Albert ( Bill ) Dawtry he joined the Black Watch before the war. He was forced marched to Poland and was a POW in Stalag XXA and I have a photo of him with his comrades lined up in front of their hut. He spoke of his experiences and was in a camp with the old british actor Sam Kydd who put on shows etc. In 1963 he took me to see the film The Great Escape when I was 12 and it was the day JFK was assassinated in Dallas. Sadly he died in 1988 aged 78. These guys deserved recognition for their bravery and hardships endured. I intend to go to St Valery in June 2020 for the 80th Anniversary. We shall never forget them.

[@chriswoods6713]

Hope to meet you there. regards Chris

[@chriswoods6713]

Taylorman614 I shall also be at the 2020 ceremonies organised by our French friends and Raphael Distante in particular, hope to meet you there. Regards Chris Woods

[@ScottishDayZer]

My grandad William Falconer Fernie 51st highland division Black Watch captured at St Valery, spent the remainder of the war in Stalag XXA and XXB. I never met him and have only heard of what he went through by stories from my granny and what is available in books and online, but he will always be a hero of mine. If anyone requires any detailed information of the Black Watch, I can recommend the Black Watch Museum at Balhousie Castle in Perth, Scotland.

[@brotherwalfrid]

Great video, my father was in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, after the Surrender at St Valery he spent the rest of the war in Thorn pow camp in Poland ( Stalag XXB ) He survived the death march in the winter of 1944, sadly he passed away last year aged 94, but he never forgot his comrades from St Valery or his Time in captivity .. Once a Cameron.

[@whyshouldIbother]

My grandfather had the unusual position of being an Italian in Stalag XXB for the entire war captured here. He is in 3 of your photos here from about 4:25mins - playing guitar, and in the band pics too. His name was Joseph Jerome Deponio 1919 -1996. Thank you for posting this. I have another one of the cowboy show where he played guitar and the chap he was with was called Tiffy Cork.

[@Ruaraidhsgrandad]

I drove a truck which carried the St Valery en Caux 51st Highland Division names on and often travelled in the St Valery area where it was treated like a pop star being photographed many times. Once I was asked on the ferry what was so important about St Valery and treated the guy to a long lecture about it's importance. To his credit he said he hadn't known British troops had been in France after Dunkirk and this was on a ferry sailing to France with folk going to celebrate Dunkirk.

[@keithdonald7429]

ronnie macarthur w

[@andylogan9391]

My father was killed at Belloy with the Argylls during a rearguard action. He was only 23 at time. He was greatly missed. In grave number 10 he is one of 13 highlanders buried at Friville Escarbotin

[@mikerogers4292]

My father was in the 8th battalion Argylls and was captured at Chateau de Belloy - one of the 170 who finally surrendered on 7th June 1940 having held out against 1500 German infantry, 20 tanks and the rest - he was 23 and spent the next 5 years in stalag !X-C in Bad Sulza near Leipzig..I have numerous photos from the Stalag and happy to share if others are interested. I Intend to be in St Valery on the 80th anniversary next year. Great video and music - superb tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice as well as those captured. Thanks

[@PlampinUK]

My great uncle, Alexandr Ross, Black Watch, killed on 9th June 1940 just outside St Valery in the village of Houdetot. Thank you for the post.

[@carpuscristi]

Thank you for all your comments on my video, it is a tribute to my Dad our French friends and all of you who have relations who were involved. The commemoration of St Valery is something you should put in your diary for 80 years 2020

[@taylorman6148]

Thank you so much for this very moving video. My father was captured on 12 June 1940 at St Valery. He was from Sheffield and joined the Black Watch before the War. Known as Albert ( Bill ) Dawtry he ended up in Stalag XXA and I have a photo of him with his comrades lined up in front of their hut. He spoke of his experiences and said he was in a camp with the old actor Sam Kydd who put on shows etc. He died in 1988 aged 78. I intend to go to St Valery for the 80th anniversary. So proud of all these guys and we shall never forget them.

[@petermalone8131]

I have 2 cadets who will be attending 80th anniversary commemorations in St. Valery in June. I am going to show them this before they go and ask them to read the comments. Very moving. Many thanks

[@cashfanman]

My father was one of the few who made his escape from the beach at St.Valery,he spent the rest of the war with an anti aircraft detachment in the Midlands around Coventry/Birmingham.

[@cwishart75]

My grandmothers cousin was killed there fighting a rear guard. My father planted a heather there this year> i can barely think about this without shedding tears. i am so proud

[@edwardmill6431]

My father Tom Mill Royal Artillery captured at St Valery released from Stalag xxb just before wars end due to ill health repatriated . I know now what he went through just wish I had asked more questions of how it was but now too late. Prior to the start of the war he was a Gordon Highlander and very proud of the fact, joined the local TA battery and that was that ,Thanks for a great video.

[@xx_sooty_xxgeorge4552]

edward mill my grandfather was in 22b and Ta artillery! they probably knew each other! he was from East London. George Moore

[@xx_sooty_xxgeorge4552]

Sorry 20 b

[@mikerogers4292]

My father was in the 8th battalion Argylls and was captured at Chateau de Belloy - one of the 170 who finally surrendered on 7th June 1940 having held out against 1500 German infantry, 20 tanks and the rest - he was 23 and spent the next 5 years in stalag !X-C in Bad Sulza near Leipzig..I have numerous photos from the Stalag and happy to share if others are interested. I Intend to be in St Valery on the 80th anniversary next year. Great video and music - superb tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice as well as those captured. Thanks

[@chriswoods6713]

Mike Rogers I shall also be at the ceremonies in 2020 hope to meet you then, kind regards Chris Woods

[@chriswoods6713]

Hope to meet you there Mike I will be there with Raphael Distante and the others who attend each year. regards Chris

[@rickcrichton7790]

@@chriswoods6713 My father was captured at St Valery and spent the war as a in pow in Poland. I have several photos taken in the stalags... pow dog tags etc and whatever I could get on hls war records after they were finally released. I am 69 years old and not computer savvy. I'm just realizing now why he didn't talk more about his service. I thought I saw something about a book being written and would like any info. I would share any info or photos if you could tell me how to do it. Cheers Rick ... I subscribed to your you tube channel,

[@leedonaldson8914]

My grandfather {A Territorial} fought at St Valery with A Company {Dundee} 51st Highland, until it was "Two's up and thi baw's {wis} burst".... As well as, the horror that came before that collapse during the retreat to Dunkirk. Truly it was a "sair fecht" {a hard fight} . My grandfather would sometimes speak of those days but not very often,... he had usually had a few wee drams or maybe he just wanted to impart some sensibility into our wee brains. These men {The 51st} fought against hard hitting superbly trained German troops with a serious territorial imperative and a point to prove. My Grandad saw his mates being overrun and turned into mincemeat by Panzer Mk1's & 2's. Shot down by Mg 34's, picked off by Mauser 98's, outmaneuvered and out-thought by superior forces their defenses systematically destroyed by "gods of war" their hopes stolen, chased and jeered at, humiliated as well as given a bloody good drubbing. He said there was no stopping them... the harder you hit..the harder they hit back. They were unstoppable . He told me {in hushed tones} that British anti tank shells bounced of he glacis plates of these machines... "It was like hitting them with golf balls". And the enemy was relentless, well trained and in no mood to fuck about. they were "Hard laddies" and not to be underestimated. They fought hard and we gave as good as we got he would tell me. Eventually...... The situation became untenable. That was when the order came down the line on the radio from divisional command..... "Two's up & the baws burst"....... That meant every man for himself. My grandfather was Private George {Ginger} Donaldson , A Company 51st Highland {Black Watch, Grenadiers} a Dundee territorial battalion. After the order to "run like fuck".. my grandfather was fortunate enough to be picked up by the French Resistance. He was with them for over 6 months { The best 6 months of his life he told me} before he was repatriated into Spain then thus to Gibraltar and thence to North Africa in time for whatever the 8th army had in store for him. But the sense of a " perceived betrayal" of the 51st at St Valery never left him...

[@whyshouldIbother]

Sorry, couldnt write much, and don't know how to send message (must ask my son!) but thank you too. I have never found any one who remembers my Grandfather. My grandfather was from Oswestry is Salop (now Denbighshire). He was in various camps, but Malbork XXB was the main one. Best regards, Claire

[@mitchly]

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to make and post this. Thanks to my Cousin, Derek, I have learned that my Father, Chris Gibbons, was captured at St Valery on the 12/6/1940. He was in the Lancashire Fusiliers. Best Wishes, Paul (Billy) Gibbons. Cheshire.

[@scruffysod]

I have just read 'Blackwatch ' by Tom Renouf so i thought i woild look up some of the places on here.And lo and behold there he is at 6.00 2nd from the left . Thank you to all of you and your relatives who sacrificed there youth to protect our future .

[@whyshouldIbother]

He was part of the British Expeditionary forces driving officers to safety when they hit an ambush. He had only been in France about 1 day. After being captured at Dunkirk he was then marched to Poland. The photo you have at about 4:24 ish where they are wearing cowboy hats - My grandfather is the one with the guitar on the LEFT. This was shown at the "New Camp Palladium" in Bromburg. The show was called Rhythm On The Range. We have another photo of this too in different arrangement.

[@carpuscristi]

Hello Claire Thank you very much for the information, what i also find amazing is that I live 3 miles from Oswestry (which is still in Shropshire by the way) having moved from Norfolk back in the 70's. My father was in Malbork XXB from around 1943 having been previously in Thorun XXA. He to was marched to Poland from St Valery and at the end of the war was on the long death march away from the camps when liberated by the Russians.

[@WRLO56]

The battle of St Valery is mentioned in the short story "Silence In The Ranks", in the collection "The General Danced at Dawn", by George MacDonald Fraser. The hero/narrator, Lt. MacNeill, is joined by three of his men on Hogmanay night (New Year's Eve for the Sassenachs out there) and they sing "We're No Awa' Tade Bide Awa' ", which he says the regiment sang as they were "waiting for the end at St Valery". (continued next post)

[@ellensaul6044]

My father , Norman Saul , managed to get off the beach at St Valery En Caux together with a few of his mates including Jack Stevens in June 1940.They had travelled there by lorry at night to avoid German road blocks. When they got to St. Valery En Caux they saw German tanks in the town and abandoned the lorry and ran along the beach and hid in a cave at the foot of the cliffs.They were spotted and the Germans tried to flush them out by grenades and pushing petrol soaked cars over the cliff. They hid in the cave for at least 2 nights and signalled to a British destroyer several miles out who sent a small boat in to try and pick them up. The first attempt failed due to enemy fire. Jack Stevens was shot through the jaw but survived and indeed out lived my father.The second attempt was successful and they got back to Southampton safely.

[@alimackenzie2168]

My grandad was scuttling vehicles and bunging them into the harbour at St Valery. Your dad was a lucky man.

[@Fleetingchic]

REMEMBER THE ARGYLLS --- AND THE HIGHLAND DIVISION... EVERYTIME THE ENGLISH NEEDED HELP TO SAVE THE SKIN OF THIS EMPIRE, INDIA, DUNKIRK,MALAYSIA ,SINGAPORE,KOREA,ADEN TO NAME BUT A FEW---- THE ARGYLLS WHERE SCARIFIED ... "NA OBLIVISCARIS SANS PEUR"

[@carpuscristi]

Thanks for the comment, my father was in Stalag XXA and XXB, I intend to go there one day to see whats left and am still trying to find out more about some of the people in the pictures that shared that terrible experience, did your grandfather mention names in his memoirs of friends or do you have pictures?

[@penhillam5598]

Yes. I do have photos and I have intended to load the pictures onto the sites. My father was also in XXA and XXB. There is one with the soldiers names on the back. [e-mail]

[@penhillam5598]

[e-mail]

[@jamestheman1962]

never a film or in depth documentary of any kind about what happened there,just clips here and there,never remembered but by us people who knew them and had family there,and uncle killed there with The Gordons,but my father was taken of and out at Dunkirk,he never forgave Churchill for this,as he never forgave him for Dieppe either,he said of him that he was man that was needed at the time and when it was over he was glad that they elected Atilee,I would say a lot of them was bitter about there treatment after the war,I was member of the 1/51st Highland Battalion as that was what it was reduced to by cuts,3 Scottish Black Watch companies,and 2 English Scottish companies,G company London Scottish,and V company Liverpool Scottish,may they rest in peace,thanks for the tune

[@ojg1910]

James, look out for this book, which I am currently reading. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BU26RCM/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

[@jimcobb4691]

My grandfather was captured at st valery he was in the Argyle and Sutherland highlanders part of the 51st highland division they didnt want to surrender but with little or no food and surrounded by panzers they had no choice he was liberated by the Canadians in 1945

[@garyfowler4435]

My Grandfather was a Gordon Highlander from the 75th Highland Field/Heavy Regiment and ended up at St Valery. He was one of the lucky few who managed to get away (having already been told to destroy their guns). He then went on to serve in North Africa, Sicily and Italy (Monte cassino etc) as part of the 6th Army Group Royal Artillery.

[@cannonfodder6654]

My grandad was captured at st valery and spent 4 years a POW, He volunteered for kitchen duties and eventually had to cut the Germans guards hair and even extracted their teeth. when he got home, he was charged for his lost kit!! the next monday after he came back ,he was back working as a train guard in Perth,Scotland. they dont make them like that anymore..........

[@rjacob7858]

My father was captured at St Valery and spent 5 years as a POW.

[@whyshouldIbother]

I think it's sad that the ring my grandfather was wearing in that picture was given to him before he left by his mother, and he sold it for some bread and milk. :( Hard times. He used to say that they looked well fed, but they were just bloated from the water potatos and the boiled peelings from the officers. I would love to go to that area of Poland and explore. I might make it a project and do it this summer in the car with my Son. Would be good for him to see.

[@paulhoughton5431]

My Uncle Sgt Ron Houghton was a machine gunner in Princess Louise's Kensington's, he fought at St Valery escaping with a few others in a fishing boat. He then went to Africa and Italy finally being wounded at Cassino. I'm reading Robert Garners account of the Kensington's trying to find out more of his war exploits. He died in 1990 at the age of 71. He named his daughter Valerie in remembrance of his colleagues.

[@benwilson6145]

Our neighbor Duncan was captured at St Valery, had his back injured by a sadistic German guards rifle but on the march to Germany. He named his daughter Valery. The memory and the injury stayed with him for the rest of his life.

[@ferouspole]

My uncle, in the 51st anti tank lost his life close to St Valery defending the attempted perimeter. All respect to my uncle John, who I never knew.

[@jgulliver3435]

My grandfather was in The Royal Norfolks and was also captured. He was a POW in Germany until autumn 1943 when he was one of 1200 men repatriated with help from the Red Cross. He came home on the ship Atlantis and had TB. I just watched the Darkest Hour with Gary Oldman - fantastic but it would have been nice to have had an acknowledgement at the end to the 40K soldiers of the BEF who were left behind. The words 'most men were evacuated' just didn't seem right.

[@jamesgill1493]

my father was captured at St Valery...sent to THORN in Poland...he was in the Black Watch..please read Churchill,s sacrifice of THE HIGHLAND DIVISION by Saul David..telling the real story....

[@davidmurphy591]

I first saw the war grave sign on the wall of the church in La Gaillarde. There lies Robinson who died in June 1940. But surely the British had all left at Dunkirk. This happened in January 2000 it took me 12 years to find what had happened. Too many still are not aware of what happened and how many heroic men died and entered captivity there.

[@penhillam5598]

Remembrance Day is my father captured at Saint Valerie spending 5 years as a POW. I will never forget the sacrifice made

[@colinstewart6367]

a song from the heart..I was born in North Belfast during the troubles.....British Government portrayal was a way of life for me

[@WRLO56]

I asked my dad if he knew where St Valery was - I had never heard of it - and he told me that his regiment - I believe it was the Argylls, although he was subsequently transferred to the Black Watch - has lost two companies there. He was a member of X company, which was made up to replace one of the companies that was lost; the replacement companies were X and Y, out of respect for the lost companies, they did not reuse the letters A and B until after the war.

[@Lyn8213]

I know this song and history of the 51st but have only recently found a personal connection. My great Uncle George Dobson, from York, was in the Royal Service Corps attached to 51st as a petrol bowser driver, taken prisoner at St Valery on 12the June 1940. He did the long march to Stalag XX A in Poland. I have some small extracts from his dairy and photos of his five years as a POW. He died in 1985, aged 72.

[@chriswoods6713]

Yes my father was in XXa and then XXb. Would be nice to see the photos. I have several of my father included in the video

[@frank7455]

... and it became full circle: my father met the 51st again at El Alamein, fighting with the 164. leichte Afrika Division. Another hard fight with a different result.

[@davidsuttie4192]

Am now crying.. Wishing my dad had heard this song....

[@simonunion4657]

my partners uncle Corp. Bernard Willocks died on the 10th June 1940 here he his listed on a memorial but we never got to know what happened to him he lived in Manchester but joined the 4th Bn.seaforth highlanders has he was proud to be Scottish nice to know the sacrifice is still remembered

[@JerseySandy]

Thank you for doing this.

[@DaragRennie]

My dad was captured there too. Originally went to Stalag XXB and then to BAB 21, a punishment camp, maybe after an escape attempt. Eventually settled in New Zealand.

[@alimackenzie2168]

My grandad was a Blackwatch piper Dan MacKenzie. I met a man who said many owed him a great debt because he played the pipes while many others escaped from the stalag. Grandad never talked about the war to me. I know it was tough for him. Anyone know anything more about the march and the mines?

[@selenapan9]

This is a lovely video. I wrote a blog piece about visiting St. Valerie.

[@campbellcunningham885]

My grandfather was captured at St Valery with the legendary 51st highland division

[@carpuscristi]

Thanks for the information, was he captured at St Valery in 1940 or did he go to Stalag XXB later in the war? I know of a survivor still alive from the Royal Norfolk regiment who was with my father , I will ask him if he remembers your grandfather or Tiffy Cork from the prisoner of war camp. I also go to the memorials each year and have met the few remaining (and sadly getting fewer survivors) Thank you for contacting me. regards Chris Woods

[@OriginalAirsoftGasser]

My great grandfather was lucky enough to escape from here, he was the RSM of The Duke of Wellington Regiment and had fought as part of the rearguard protecting Dunkirk, we don't know much more about him, all of my grandmothers family served and some came back with physical wounds but the all returned with psychological ones.

[@adrianevans1764]

james kaye My father in law Eric Woolley was in the Dukes also would have know him. He too was lucky enough to be picked up from the beach north of St Valerie on 12 June 1940.2230 men were lucky to be picked up in the early hours. Immediately before they were overpowered by artillery and tank fire and only had light arms and made a dash for the beaches narrowly avoiding German tanks.

[@whyshouldIbother]

They must definitely have known one another then as that was the result for my Grandfather too. They were marched into the American line I think. I am pretty sure he was at Thorn too for a bit as I have that name written on a scrap of paper I wrote when I was 15! He died when I was 19 so I am glad I was interested in this stuff back then. I really want to find his records, but life keeps getting in the way. He is listed on Ancestry, but theres little info on there. 3 miles from Oswestry! Wow!

[@xx_sooty_xxgeorge4552]

my grandfather George Moore was in stalag 20 b

[@MilitairesSans]

My great uncle survived most of the march back but to my knowledge he died of typhus or something they got there :/

[@douglaslivingstone7853]

RIP Donnie

[@russellwillingham1536]

My uncle was captured there

[@BIGJOCKHERE]

Beautiful rendition of this song