Dunkirk comrades reunited

Major Robin Medley and Major Stan Chandler fought alongside each other at Dunkirk, and were both at The Keep in Kempston for the Officers’ Lunch on Thursday (June 28).

The duo, who both fought at Dunkirk, were among 37 former soldiers, their wives and families, who shared memories and stories at the masonic lodge which is the former regimental depot.

Major Medley said: “Dunkirk was simply something that happened. We were let down by our allies and we simply had to get on with it.

“We worked our way back into a defensive position, and we were able to hold out and stop the Germans getting past us. Then we had to get onto the boats and get home.

“The funny thing we that we travelled home and when we arrived back there was this big woman there. She pulled me close to her and the first thing she said was said ‘Oh poor boy, have you got to go back again?’.”

The Battle of Dunkirk was a key battle in the Second World War between the Allies and Germany. The fighting allowed British and Allied forces to evacuate from Europe, and the ten days of fighting ended on June 4, 1940 - the same day that Winston Churchill made his famous “We shall fight on the beaches,” speech to Parliament.

Major Chandler, who was brought up in Dunstable and went to Dunstable Grammar School, said: “Today has been wonderful, seeing old friends and enjoying that old comradeship.”