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This story was submitted to the People's War website by a volunteer from CSV Newcastle on behalf of Robert Pattinson and has been added to the site his/her permission. Robert Pattinson fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

We were all on the sand dunes about one and a half miles north of the port of Dunkirk, we were constantly under attack from the German air force, we could see a few ships out at sea but they were too far out to swim to.

We were on the beach for 2 days and then we were told to make our way to Dunkirk, we had to take great care as we were still under attack from the air and artillery. Some of our boys became casualties and we helped them get to the port and on board H.M.S. Vimy. We were still being attacked from the air.

The sailors gave us each a loaf of bread — no butter. I enjoyed the bread very much as it was my first food for 5 days. I was very hungry. We landed at Dover and the first person I saw was a Salvation Army girl giving out an apple, orange, and a bar of chocolate. It was like receiving 3 bars of gold.

There were hundreds of men on the railway station and about 7 trains. We were told to get on any train, mixing all the regiments. There were a number of our boys on the same train, so we were with friends. We stopped at a number of stations; the platforms were full of people giving us food and tea. What a wonderful welcome! I fell asleep and after about 4 hours woke to see the train travelling amongst hills, I thought we must be in Scotland. What a surprise when the train stopped at Pembroke Docks, South Wales.

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