On the 28th of May 1940, along a stretch of the Ypres-Comines Canal, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers fought a desperate rear guard action so that the British Expeditionary Force could carry out their evacuation at Dunkirk.

As part of the 17th Infantry Brigade, along with the 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders and the 2nd Bn Northamptonshire Regiment, they were required to hold the Ypres- Comines railway line, then the canal and finally a farmstead before a last stand that saw their CO, Lt. Col. Tod declare that they "would not go a foot back"

After this desperate action, in which many members of the battalion were either killed or wounded the records of those that took part were either captured, lost or destroyed.

I am attempting to piece together an accurate description of this action through diaries, reports, photo's, personal accounts and maps.

My Grandfather, Fus. Robert Smith Miskimmin of 12 platoon, B Company was captured and spent the next 5 years as a prisoner of war in Poland.

I was too late to record his story, but if your family name is listed or is missing below and you have a piece of this jigsaw puzzle that you can share, please get in touch through the museum.