Dunkirk Medal

The Dunkirk Medal is an unofficial commemorative medal created by the town of Dunkirk to commemorate the Defence of the town and surrounding area during May and June 1940. In was initially only awarded to French service personnel for service during the defence of the Port of Dunkirk. In 1970 eligibility was extended to include any Allied member involved in Operation Dynamo – the evacuation of Allied forces from the Dunkirk sector between 29 May and 3 June, 1940 and those soldiers evacuated from the beaches. All British servicemen from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, and the civilian ‘little ship’ volunteers were eligible to receive the award.