Moray and Aberdeenshire pipers called on to mark 'The forgotten Dunkirk'
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Pipers across Scotland are being invited to join a poignant tribute to thousands of Scots who were killed or captured during “the forgotten Dunkirk” 80 years ago.
The lesser-known battle of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux is being memorialised by three leading Scottish Armed Forces charities, and pipers are being asked to play a leading role.
On June 12, 1940, just days after the successful mass-evacuations at Dunkirk, thousands of British troops remained on continental Europe under French command.
Largely comprised of men from the 51st Highland Division, they fought almost continuously for ten days against overwhelming odds.
Efforts were made to rescue them but a combination of fog and the proximity of German artillery above the town prevented the awaiting flotilla of ships from reaching shore.
Those not killed in the fierce fighting, or who did not fall to their deaths from the cliffs trying to escape, were captured by the Germans.
Marched hundreds of miles to Prisoner of War camps in Eastern Europe, they went on to endure appalling conditions for five long years.
Brigadier Charles Grant, a retired British Army officer and historian of the 51st Highland Division website, said: “The 51st Highland Division – initially about 20,000 strong – comprised nine battalions of the Highland infantry regiments with supporting arms and services, including elements from England.
"They had been detached from the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and therefore managed to escape encirclement around Dunkirk.
"Instead, from June 4 they were conducting a fighting withdrawal west from the Somme under French command.
"The speed of the German advance was such that they, and part of the French army, were cut off, despite hopes that they would escape through Le Havre.
"Part of the Division did get to Le Harve to secure it for evacuation and escaped, but the remainder were cut off and surrounded at the little fishing town of St-Valéry-en-Caux.
"Not unlike Dunkirk, a flotilla of 67 Merchant ships and 140 small vessels were organised and despatched from British Ports, but the inclement weather and the German artillery overlooking the town meant any evacuation on the night of the 11th June was impossible.
"General Fortune commanding what remained of the Division considered all the options – a counter-attack, further resistance, retaking the town, but, against this, there was no possibility of evacuation or support.
"The men had been fighting almost continuously for ten days against overwhelming odds.
"They were exhausted and virtually out of ammunition, with no artillery ammunition at all.
"Shortly before 10am on June 12, General Fortune took the most difficult of decisions – to surrender.”
Brigadier Grant added: "There can hardly have been a town, village or hamlet in the Highlands and beyond which was not directly affected by the loss.
"While events such as Dunkirk, D-Day and VE Day are rightly commemorated, it is time that the memory of those who fought and fell at St Valéry are remembered in a national tribute for the first time."
At 10am on June 12, 2020, pipers up and down Scotland will take to their doorsteps and play the haunting pipers march, Heroes of St Valéry.
Pipers, and other musicians, of all ages and abilities are being invited to download the sheet music and learn the piece over the coming weeks.
Legion Scotland, Poppyscotland and RCET: Scotland’s Armed Forces Children’s Charity have joined forces to organise the tribute, which will also include online learning resources for young people, virtual tributes and a fundraising campaign to support the work of these military charities.
Dr Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: "It was incredibly moving to see the country join together to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day last week – particularly in such challenging circumstances.
"While this was a day to celebrate, it is vital that we also remember less triumphant periods of our history.
"The ‘Forgotten 51st’ should be forgotten no more."
To register interest in taking part visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/st-valery.
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