It was one of the most grievous setbacks of the Second World War.
And now, pipers across Scotland have been invited to join a poignant tribute to thousands of Scots who were killed or captured during “the forgotten Dunkirk” 80 years ago.
The battle of Saint-Valery-en-Caux is being memorialised by three leading Scottish Armed Forces charities, and pipers are being asked to play a leading role.
On June 12, 1940, just days after the successful mass-evacuations at Dunkirk, thousands of British troops remained on continental Europe under French command. Largely comprised of men from the 51st Highland Division, they fought almost continuously for ten days against overwhelming odds until eventually surrounded at St Valery.
Those who were not killed in the fierce fighting, or fell to their deaths from the cliffs trying to escape, were captured and marched hundreds of miles to POW camps in Eastern Europe, where they endured appalling conditions for five long years.
At 10am on June 12, pipers up and down Scotland will take to their doorsteps and play the haunting march, Heroes of St Valery. Musicians, of all ages and abilities, are being invited to download the sheet music and learn the piece.
Legion Scotland, Poppyscotland and RCET: Scotland’s Armed Forces Children’s Charity have joined forces to organise the tribute, which will also include online learning resources for young people, virtual tributes and a fundraising campaign to support the vital work of these important military charities.
Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It was incredibly moving to see the country join together to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day last week – particularly in such challenging circumstances.
“While this was a day to celebrate, it is vital that we also remember less triumphant periods of our history. The ‘Forgotten 51st’ should be forgotten no more.”
The first to sign up was Pipe Major Ben Duncan, from The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes & Drums, who previewed the Heroes of St Valery from the doorstep of Edinburgh Castle, which is currently closed due to the lockdown.
Mr Duncan said: “As soon as I heard about the plans to mark the 80th anniversary of St Valery I wanted to get involved. This is a great way for such a significant but little-remembered event in our history to be properly commemorated.”
Brigadier Charles Grant, a retired British Army officer and historian, said: “The 51st Highland Division – initially about 20,000 strong – comprised nine battalions of the Highland infantry regiments.
“They had been detached from the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and therefore managed to escape encirclement around Dunkirk. Instead, from 4th June they were conducting a fighting withdrawal west from the Somme under French command. The speed of the German advance was such that they, and part of the French army, were cut off.
“Part of the Division did get to Le Havre to secure it for evacuation and escaped, but the remainder were cut off and surrounded at St-Valery-en-Caux. Not unlike Dunkirk, a flotilla of 67 merchant ships and 140 small vessels were organised and despatched from British ports, but the inclement weather and the German artillery overlooking the town meant any evacuation was impossible.
“There can hardly have been a town, village or hamlet in the Highlands and beyond which was not directly affected by the loss. It is time the memory of those who fought and fell at St Valery is remembered in a national tribute.”
Pipers who are interested in taking part should visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/st-valery.
