Australians at Dunkirk

I have the odd distinction of being an Australian who owns a Dunkirk Little Ship (DIANTHUS). I am trying to compile a list of Australians associated with Operation Dynamo. Large numbers of Dunkirk veterans emigrated to Australia after the war, but I’m keen to find people who were Australians in 1940. So far, I have identified three naval officers (Buchanan, Dechaineux and Robertson) and two pilots (Olive and Stevenson). I suspect that there were many more. Can anybody help?

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/f...-details/2083629/james-alfred-hampton-styles/

See #16 in the tread below this is how the information unfolded in June 2022.

68644 Captain 'Jimmy' James Alfred Hampton STYLES, 67 Field Regt RA: 17/05/1940, buried Adegem

 

Hi Luddite,

Are you looking for those directly involved with the evacuation only or events leading up to it?

This man was an Aussie killed around Arras a few days before Dynamo-

Australian Captain in British 7th RTR RAC killed 21/5/1940 St Omer

Scott

 

There were a few native Australians in my father's BEF Regiment, 140 (5th London) Rgt RA, that defended the Dunkirk perimeter in 1940:

Lt Col Cedric Odling TD was born in New South Wales, Australia, although UK based - his family ran the Anselm Odling & Sons Stonemasonary company- at one time the largest stone importer in the UK with operations in Italy, most UK ports and Ireland- they still exist to this day although Cedric was last of the line. He's a particular hero of mine, my dad's commanding officer. More about him here: http://140th-field-regiment-ra-1940.co.uk/biographies/lt-col-cedric-odling/

Capt Harold Westley came from Syney, he pretended to be his older brother (hence his nickname Tommy) in order to enlist in the Australian army in WW1, wounded in the Somme fighting, remained in the TA inter-war and accepted demototion to Captain in order to join my father's Regt and the BEF at age 46 years.
POW at Cassel, he was involved in the escape from Oflag VB at Biberach, recaptured but MID for his secret communication with MI9 for the rest of the war. Another Aussie unsung hero!
More here: Captain Harold Westley – 140th (5th London) Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Major Sir Robert Crichton-Brown was born in Melborne, Australia and was MID for his bravery in ensuring his men got on board little ships at Dunkirk. Post-Dunkirk he served with distiction in Burma, then post war returned to Australia where he took up ocean racing in his famous yacht Pacha, won the Sydney-Hobart race and I believe Pacha still floats proudly in Sydney harbour to this day. He became chairman of Rothams International and had the distinction of being criticised by Tony Blair for his pay package (totally disregarding his heroic wartime service of course). Another larger than life figure, more here: 2nd Lieutenant Robert Crichton-Brown – 140th (5th London) Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

 

Thank you for those names and that information. Whilst Australia had no formal presence at Dunkirk it is becoming increasingly clear to me that there were "Aussies" playing a significant part in Army, Navy and Airforce roles.

 

Thank you. I am interested in compiling a list of some of the Australians who were involved in Dynamo or in the events immediately leading up to it. I am occasionally asked why an Australian has an interest in the Dunkirk evacuation and I want to be able to provide a more informed answer. As far as I can tell there is no consolidated list and I will provide my data to the Australian War Memorial and to each of the three service historical societies.

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve probably already seen this, but some info on the Australian War Memorial website

History of the Queensland branch / [prepared by Ian Macdonald] 1940 Dunkirk Veterans Association. Link below

History of the Queensland branch / [prepared by Ian Macdonald] 1940 Dunkirk Veterans Association.

 

I can send you a little bit clearer image of this is you need it?

 

Another story

 

Not a service person, but I thought it a very interesting story

 

Unfortunately this storey does not give the person’s name…..but may give you clues on “who it is”. Had to clip it in two parts so it was readable

 

I’ve been finding LOTs of stories in Australian newspapers on Dunkirk Veterans, but as you said I ‘think’ many of these are British who emigrated to Australia after the war…….so I haven’t been posting them.

Their are some very interesting stories, which give the name and Australian address, but really doesn’t confirm they were “Australian” at the time of Dunkirk

 

Sounds like a worthy project Luddite. Will keep you posted if I come across any others (I am always looking for New South Wales service people with interesting stories from the war).

It might be worth a look through forum member Spidge's threads as he was researching Australians who fell in various theatres. Not sure if he still posts here but he had a lot of content.

Scott

 

Thanks for posting this Temujin. I wrote some stories a few years ago about the Pasfield brothers from Sydney who served in the First World War and one of them is the spitting image of A.B Pasfield in that story. I strongly suspect they were related. Will have to dig out my old notes.

139 PASFIELD, James Albert

Scott

 

Hi Scott,

My apologies for the delay. I am interested in all Australians who were involved both in Operation Dynamo and in the period following 10 May.

Cheers,

Simon

 

Hi,

Thank you and sorry for the delay in responding. A clearer image would be fabulous.

Cheers,

Simon

 

Thank you. I have reached out to Spidge but have yet to hear back from him. I am now up to 16 people although I know I am just touching the surface. Most of the names are coming up on searches because they were awarded various medals. One assumes that the majority were not.

 

Spidge has not posted for just over 4yrs now, given his age he may no longer be active.