Dunkirk Memorial Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Dunkirk Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
One of the rows of screen walls making up the memorial
For the missing of the British Expeditionary Force
Unveiled	29 June 1957
Location	51°01′49″N 2°23′23″E / 51.0303°N 2.3897°E / 51.0303; 2.3897 Dunkirk, France
Designed by	Philip Hepworth (architect) John Hutton (glass engraver)
Commemorated	4,505
English: Here beside the graves of their comrades are commemorated the soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who fell in the campaign of 1939–1940 and have no known grave. French: Ici à côté des tombes de leurs camarades sont commémorés les soldats du corps expéditionnaire britannique morts au cours de la campagne 1939–1940 et qui n'ont pas de tombe connue.
Statistics source: Cemetery details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Dunkirk Memorial is a special place in Dunkirk, France. It remembers 4,505 soldiers from the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). These soldiers went missing during the Battle of Dunkirk in 1939 and 1940. This battle was a big part of the Second World War when France was falling to invading forces.

The memorial was designed by Philip Hepworth. It has special panels and a shrine. There's also a beautiful engraved glass pane made by John Hutton. The memorial remembers soldiers lost at sea during the evacuation. It also honors a soldier who received the Victoria Cross, a very brave award.

The memorial was finished 17 years after the events it marks. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother officially opened it in 1957. Many important people, veterans, and families of the soldiers attended. Later, in 2015, a special event was held here for the 75th anniversary.

What Was the Battle of Dunkirk?
Where Is the Memorial Located?
Who Unveiled the Memorial?
Which Soldiers Are Remembered?
What Happened Later at the Memorial?
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What Was the Battle of Dunkirk?

The Battle of Dunkirk was a major event during the Second World War. It involved defending the town of Dunkirk and evacuating Allied soldiers from there. The goal was to escape capture by the German forces. This battle was part of the larger Battle of France.

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was the main British army group involved. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) remembers all the BEF soldiers who died. Those who died and have no known grave are honored on the Dunkirk Memorial. The memorial covers the time from September 1939 to June 1940. It also remembers soldiers who died later as prisoners of war and whose graves are unknown.

Where Is the Memorial Located?

The Dunkirk Memorial is at the entrance to a special section of the Dunkirk Town Cemetery in France. On both sides of the entrance gates, you can see the main message written in English and French. Stone urns sit above these messages.

The memorial lists 4,505 names. It has two rows of free-standing walls made of Portland stone. These walls lead down an avenue to a shrine. Inside the shrine, there is a large glass pane. This pane is about 18 by 9 feet and shows scenes from the evacuation. More walls are attached to the shrine. In the middle of the shrine, there's a round wooden seating area. It holds a cabinet with the cemetery and memorial register.

Philip Hepworth designed the memorial. He was the main architect for the Imperial War Graves Commission, which later became the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The beautiful glass engraving was done by John Hutton. The memorial grounds also have a holly hedge and English garden plants like stocks, thymes, and primroses.

Who Unveiled the Memorial?

The memorial was officially opened on June 29, 1957. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother unveiled it. She traveled to France on a ship called HMS Chieftain. Many important people were there, including the Duke of Gloucester. He was the President of the Imperial War Graves Commission.

About 1,600 veterans and family members of the soldiers attended the ceremony. The Royal British Legion organized a trip for them to be there. The Queen Mother gave a speech. She spoke about the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who died. She said they died so that defeat could turn into victory. She also said that many rest in known graves, but others have no known resting place. She noted they are remembered in this beautiful setting among English flowers.

During the ceremony, the memorial panels were covered with Union Flags. Drums played as each panel was uncovered. The "Last Post" was played, a special bugle call. Bagpipes also played "Lochaber No More." A religious service was held with prayers and singing. Guards of honor from British and French regiments were present. Naval ships offshore fired a salute, and a Hawker Hurricane plane flew overhead as a tribute from the Royal Air Force.

The Queen Mother and other important guests laid wreaths at the memorial. A wreath was also laid on behalf of Sir Winston Churchill. Hundreds more wreaths were laid by the visiting families and veterans. On her way back, the Queen Mother cast a wreath into the sea near the Dunkirk beaches.

Which Soldiers Are Remembered?

The memorial lists the names of BEF soldiers who died in different ways. Some were on the SS Abukir, a British ship. It was sunk by a torpedo while evacuating Ostend on the last day of the Battle of Belgium. Soldiers lost when the RMS Lancastria was sunk are also remembered here.

Among the individual names on the memorial are Lieutenant Christopher Furness. He was a Victoria Cross recipient, meaning he showed extreme bravery. Army chaplain Leslie Philip Riches is also named on the memorial.

What Happened Later at the Memorial?

On May 22, 2015, the 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation was celebrated. This event took place at the Dunkirk Memorial. HRH Prince Michael of Kent attended. Local primary school children sang the French and British national anthems. They were dressed in the colors of the French flag.

Royal Navy chaplain Gordon Warren led the service. He spoke about thanking God for the "wartime miracles" during the evacuation. He also reminded everyone to never forget the "precious souls" remembered at the memorial who never came back. He said, "We will remember them."