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This story was told to East Ayrshire staff during their Tea Party of 11th June 2004 by Elaine Gray (maiden name Malkin) who is telling her dad (John Malkin’s) story.

John Malkin was a signalman using his skills learnt at the Post Office – you would think that as a signalman he would have been reasonably safe but at Dunkirk he was assigned to the Welsh Guards who were the very last to leave France. Signalmen received Army training but weren’t expected to ever have to use it.

Being the last to leave France he will never ever forget the bravery of the Royal Navy as they brought the ships in as far as possible without actually risking the ships – and also bombarded the Germans.

As they were very late leaving France – they also came home very late –
being maybe two days after everyone else – so were listed as missing in action. His sister gave birth to a son during this time so the child was named John to carry on the name.

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