A search has been launched to trace the family of a fallen hero who died following “the forgotten Dunkirk” more than 80 years ago.
The 51st Highland Division soldier evaded capture during the battle of St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy and was hidden by a French family, but was later discovered by the Germans and shot.
The Second World War battle on June 12 1940 led to around 10,000 mainly Scottish soldiers from the 51st Highland Division being captured.
They continued the fight on the Continent in support of the French after the Dunkirk evacuations had been completed, but a flotilla of ships sent to rescue the troops was unable to reach them due to fog and the proximity of German artillery above the town.
A search has been launched to trace the family of a fallen hero who died following “the forgotten Dunkirk” more than 80 years ago.
The 51st Highland Division soldier evaded capture during the battle of St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy and was hidden by a French family, but was later discovered by the Germans and shot.
The Second World War battle on June 12 1940 led to around 10,000 mainly Scottish soldiers from the 51st Highland Division being captured.
They continued the fight on the Continent in support of the French after the Dunkirk evacuations had been completed, but a flotilla of ships sent to rescue the troops was unable to reach them due to fog and the proximity of German artillery above the town.
A search has been launched to trace the family of a fallen hero who died following “the forgotten Dunkirk” more than 80 years ago.
The 51st Highland Division soldier evaded capture during the battle of St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy and was hidden by a French family, but was later discovered by the Germans and shot.
The Second World War battle on June 12 1940 led to around 10,000 mainly Scottish soldiers from the 51st Highland Division being captured.
They continued the fight on the Continent in support of the French after the Dunkirk evacuations had been completed, but a flotilla of ships sent to rescue the troops was unable to reach them due to fog and the proximity of German artillery above the town.
A search has been launched to trace the family of a fallen hero who died following “the forgotten Dunkirk” more than 80 years ago.
The 51st Highland Division soldier evaded capture during the battle of St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy and was hidden by a French family, but was later discovered by the Germans and shot.
The Second World War battle on June 12 1940 led to around 10,000 mainly Scottish soldiers from the 51st Highland Division being captured.
They continued the fight on the Continent in support of the French after the Dunkirk evacuations had been completed, but a flotilla of ships sent to rescue the troops was unable to reach them due to fog and the proximity of German artillery above the town.
Mr Prieur, 65, whose grandparents and father remained in the town throughout the war, said: “A soldier from the 51st Highland Division was hidden by a local family in the village. They bonded, and the family learned that he was a married man, with a wife and two daughters waiting for him to return home.
A piece of paper with the name of a fallen hero who died following the forgotten Dunkirk more than 80 years ago.
“For several weeks, the soldier remained hidden, but regretfully he was eventually discovered by German troops and marched through the town to the municipal cemetery.