- Contributed by听
- costain
- People in story:听
- Lamont McIntosh Winchester
- Location of story:听
- Dunkirk
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A2312687
- Contributed on:听
- 18 February 2004
My father was a Civil Engineer who joined up and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in early 1940; I was five years of age. He went with the BEF to France and, in due course, was ordered to retreat to Dunkirk. He told us how impressed he was with the Guards (I do not know which regiment) whom he encountered.
On one occasion it was necessary for him and his driver to dive into a ditch to take cover from Stuka dive-bombing. He was joined by a young Guards officer in a hurry who asked, most politely, if he could share the ditch. On being invited in, he produced a gold cigarette case from the breast pocket of his battle dress, opened it and presented "my card".
Later, on the beach at Dunkirk the Guards showed outstanding discipline and their boots shone as though they were on Horse Guards Parade.
As a Civil Engineer, my father organised the construction of temporary jetties made up with lorries He eventually got away in a Destroyer from the Mole. He was one of the last to leave. All of his kit, including newly-tailored uniforms had to be left behind but he kept a short slide rule and his shaving kit and was able to arrive home clean shaven and tidy.
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