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5830037 Sgt E. R. DORBAN
The Green Howards
‘A’Company 5 Battalion 150 Brigade 50 Division

We made a night march to Dunkirk arriving early morning on 31 May. Everyone made for the groyne where it was hoped that ships would arrive to take us off. While on the groyne a shell burst on it leaving a large gap in the ranks. There was no panic ranks just closed up. As soon as dawn broke everyone left the groyne some remaining on the beach others making for the town. After a couple of hours sleep I spent the rest of the day getting my platoon together. Shells aimed for the beach sometimes hit chimneystacks of the houses and exploded. Air raids were frequent. Information was received that ships would arrive to take us off that night. Lots were drawn to agree the order in which we were to embark. My unit came out first. For that privilege the remainder of ‘A’ company less any married men were designated to form a cordon in case the Germans broke through. All that night my colleagues and I watched thousands of men taking their turn to make for the groyne and the boats. Being the very last there was no certainty that we would get aboard. However we made it. A seaman helping me aboard threw my Bren gun and ammunition over the side. Arrived in Dover on June 1st 1940.

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