Elma Goodlad was one of a group of north-east pupils who made a special trip to St Valery in 1950.
The Shetland teenager was among the 20 teenagers – 10 boys and 10 girls – who were the recipients of a Kemsley Scholarship, which were awarded by the former owner of the Press & Journal.
And Mrs Goodlad, nee Burgess, has spoken about the visit to the site where so many members of the 51st Highland Division were either killed or captured while involved in a desperate last stand against German forces in June 1940.
She and her fellow students were involved in a number of special functions both before and during their journey to France.
Mrs Goodlad, who celebrated her 18th birthday during the trip in 1950 and is now 87, said: “It was very exciting and was only the second time I had been away from Shetland.
“We were given a civic reception at the Town House in Aberdeen prior to departing for France and I can remember us standing on a staircase with our certificates.
“Along with our two teachers, we were accompanied by a P&J reporter and cameraman, who sent back news of our experiences.
“We all met the mayor of St Valery and attended a dinner.
“At that stage, we didn’t have any idea of the experiences of the Highland Division.
“It was only later we discovered how so many of the brave young men were killed or taken prisoner over there in 1940.
“It was a real eye-opener for all of us.
“After leaving St Valery, we travelled on to Paris and a group of us went to Notre Dame.
“I have been living in Fraserburgh since 1962 and I have discovered so much more about what went on during the Second World War since then, but it was all new to us in 1950.
“I’m still grateful that I was one of those young Scots who was given such an opportunity in my youth.”
