Long friendship

“With reference to the recent item about the Dundee Gunners,” says Dave Dykes, “I thought I might add a story of one of the 51st Highland Division who was captured at St Valery.

“In May last year a group of 40 S1 pupils from Perth Academy were planning a trip to France when a chance conversation with the mother of one of the group led to her sharing the story of her grandfather Johnnie Williamson. Here is Eva’s story in her own words:

“My great-grandfather Johnnie Williamson was a corporal in the 51st Highland Division during Operation Dynamo and was taken prisoner on June 10 1940, after a long fight to try to retain St Valery under French control.

“Johnnie was one of 10,000 taken prisoner, and 2,000 were killed. He managed to escape during their forced march. As he neared La Bassée, skirting a house on the outskirts of the village, a woman peeped out and said: ‘Anglais? Entrez.’ The people who gave him shelter were: M. Louis and Mme. Germaine Malbranque. They gave him a meal, a bath and a shave. Another couple who helped him were: M. Leo and Mme. Marcel Delcourd.

“Johnnie discussed the chance of getting to the coast and on a boat back to Britain, but it was not possible. He was fearful of them getting caught hiding him as they would all have been shot.

“So he slipped out into the darkness, but was captured again and taken to Thorn in Poland.

“Johnnie sent a letter to the people of La Bassée to thank them for their hospitality. He was a prisoner-of-war until the end of World War Two, and on his release he only weighed six stone.

“He kept in touch with his French friends and in 1959 Johnnie returned to La Bassée with my great-grandmother and my grandad to thank them personally.

“Then, about 22 years after his capture at St Valery, Johnnie was able to repay their hospitality when the two couples came to Perth for a holiday. They continued to write to each other for many years and there were a few more visits to both France and Scotland”.

Dave continues: “We were able to visit La Bassée during our trip, where Eva left a tribute to Johnnie and the people of the village at their war memorial.

“It was a great privilege for us all to join Eva on her personal journey and to remember one of the many real heroes who made the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ possible, as well as the two brave French couples who came to his aid.”

The top photograph shows the two French couples who looked after soldier Johnnie Willamson. Pupils from Perth Academy are pictured on their visit to Operation Dynamo memorial in Dunkirk, while in France. Read more about their connection in the columns below.

Former athlete Ian Whyte. Read more about him at the top of the column above.