Dunkirk Veterans Association Plaque

The 1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association was an association of British service veterans "who served at Dunkirk and other ports of evacuation between 10 May and June 1940" – that is in the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940, including those who were taken prisoner. Associate membership was available to those "otherwise not qualified, but who had assisted at the ports of evacuation". It was formed in Leeds in 1953, and reached a peak membership of over 20,000 but was disbanded on 30 June 2000, after the association's 60th anniversary commemoration. Two of the 'Vets' attended the very last reunion William Stone, 99, and Joe Barnes, 74, who were joined by around 50 other members at the Imperial War Museum in south London. The last ever parade of Dunkirk veterans was held in in France the following month. My late Godfather, Douglas Hannah, was part of the BEF and one of the many who qualified for membership and was forever grateful for the arrival of those 'Little Ships', an episode in WWII history so inadequately told in the recent film of the same name.

Our plaque was previously displayed at a Devon Air Museum, that is now defunct and is named on the scroll below the coat of arms to the 'Torbay and District Branch'. The coat of arms is mounted on a hardwood shield with provision for wall hanging to the reverse. It is generally in good condition with odd marks commensurate with age and use. It measures 7" x 6" (18 cm x15 cm). Seeing the Association has been disbanded these last 18 years grab the opportunity to add this example to your collection, at a modest price, whilst the opportunity exists. When it is gone it is gone.