Dumbarton Reporter | News | WAR HEROES TO SALUTE TROOPS

Wednesday, 9th July, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 13th May, 2008 10:30

WAR HEROES TO SALUTE TROOPS

By Martin Donegan

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Jimmy and Frank

TWO of the last surviving Burgh war heroes, who battled bravely at Dunkirk, are to salute their lost comrades at a Service of Remembrance this weekend.

Childhood friends Jimmy Gillies and Frank Hannaway were among 338,000 Allied troops rescued from the French town’s beaches between May 26 and June 4, 1940.

The World War II operation — codenamed Dynamo — was hailed a miracle with most of those who were saved returning to combat to help liberate Europe from German occupation in 1944/45.

And visitors to Balloch on Sunday (May 18) are set to pay tribute to the servicemen who lost their lives in Dunkirk.

Dumbarton pensioner Jimmy, said that the nine-day evacuation was the most terrifying experience of his life.

The 94-year-old former Royal Artillery gunner, received a commendation from King George VI for trying to save a wounded comrade’s life.

Fellow Dumbarton man Frank revealed he and Jimmy were friends before war began — and admitted he cannot believe they are the only Dunkirk veterans living in the area.

And the 89-year-old Heavy Artillery veteran, whose birthday is on D-Day, June 6, added: “It’s important people remember the lads we left behind."

The Veterans Parade and Service of Remembrance will form-up —under the Parade Sergeant Major — in the staff car park of the Co-op at 10am and march off to Jamestown Parish Church at 10.30am. The service begins at 11am.

West Dunbartonshire Provost Denis Agnew and senior officers from the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps will be in attendance.

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