Dunkirk Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunkirk Medal – the Medaille Dunkerque 1940 |
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| Awarded by France | |
| Type | Commemorative |
| Established | 1 May 1960 |
| Awarded for | For service during the defence of the port of Dunkirk, 1940 |
| Founder | Association nationale des anciens combattants de Flandres-Dunkerque 1940 |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 1960 |
The Dunkirk Medal (also known as Medaille Dunkerque 1940 in French) is a special medal. It was created by the town of Dunkirk in France. This medal helps us remember the brave defense of Dunkirk and the areas around it during May and June 1940.
A French group called the Association nationale des anciens combattants de Flandres-Dunkerque 1940 first managed who received this award. Later, the Dunkirk Veterans Association took over, but that group is no longer active.
Contents
What is the Dunkirk Medal?
The Dunkirk Medal is a commemorative medal. This means it was made to remember an important event. It is not an official military award from a government. Instead, it was created by the town itself to honor those who helped during a very difficult time.
Who Received the Medal?
The medal was first created in 1960. At first, only French soldiers and service members received it. About 30,000 of these medals were given out.
In 1970, the rules changed. The medal could then be given to any Allied soldier who was part of Operation Dynamo. This was a huge effort to evacuate Allied forces from the Dunkirk area between May 29 and June 3, 1940. Soldiers who were rescued from the beaches also qualified.
Many British service members were eligible. This included those from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Merchant Navy. Even civilian volunteers who sailed their small boats to help were able to receive the award.
How the Medal Looks
The Dunkirk Medal is made of bronze. It is about 44 millimeters long and 36 millimeters wide.
Front of the Medal
The front of the medal shows a shield. This shield has the special symbols of Dunkirk on it. These symbols include a fish and a lion. The shield is placed on top of an anchor and a laurel wreath. Above these, there are two crossed swords.
Back of the Medal
The back of the medal has a burning oil lamp. Below the lamp, there is a tablet. On this tablet, the words DUNKERQUE 1940 are written.
Ribbon and Certificate
Below where the ribbon attaches to the medal, there are also crossed swords. Each person who received a medal also got a special certificate with their name on it. However, the medal itself did not have names engraved on it.
The medal's ribbon is 36 millimeters wide. It has a wide yellow stripe in the middle. On each side of this yellow stripe, there is one wide red stripe and one thin red stripe. There are also two more yellow bars and two very thin black stripes.
Wearing the Medal
In the United Kingdom, people who received this medal can wear it on the right side of their chest. However, because it is not an official government medal, it is not worn alongside other official British military medals and awards.
