{"product_id":"ww2-dunkirk-medal-original-full-size-dunkirk-1940-british-french-wwii-medal","title":"WW2 Dunkirk Medal Original Full Size Dunkirk 1940 British French WWII Medal","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eDunkirk Medal (Médaille Dunkerque 1940) – Unofficial French Commemorative Award for Operation Dynamo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eA desirable original example of the \u003cb\u003eDunkirk Medal\u003c\/b\u003e, officially titled the Médaille Dunkerque 1940, created to honour those who took part in the defence and evacuation of Dunkirk during May–June 1940. This striking bronze commemorative award was instituted in \u003cb\u003e1960\u003c\/b\u003e by the town of Dunkirk and issued through the Association nationale des anciens combattants de Flandres-Dunkerque 1940. Initially reserved for French veterans, it was later extended—after 1970—to all Allied personnel who took part in \u003cb\u003eOperation Dynamo\u003c\/b\u003e, including members of the \u003cb\u003eRoyal Navy, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy\u003c\/b\u003e, and the heroic crews of the \u003cb\u003eLittle Ships\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eStruck in bronze and measuring approximately \u003cb\u003e44mm x 36mm\u003c\/b\u003e, the obverse features the shield and arms of Dunkirk—\u003cb\u003ea fish beneath a lion passant\u003c\/b\u003e—set against an anchor and laurel wreath, with \u003cb\u003ecrossed swords\u003c\/b\u003e above symbolising the fierce defence of the port. The reverse shows a burning oil lamp above the inscription \u003cb\u003eDUNKERQUE 1940\u003c\/b\u003e, representing vigilance, sacrifice, and the endurance of those who held the line long enough for more than 330,000 Allied troops to be evacuated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe medal retains its correct ribbon, a distinctive pattern consisting of a broad \u003cb\u003echrome-yellow central stripe\u003c\/b\u003e flanked by \u003cb\u003ered\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eyellow\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eblack\u003c\/b\u003e stripes—colours symbolising both Flanders and the burning oil installations that lit the evacuation beaches. The suspension includes the characteristic \u003cb\u003ecrossed swords\u003c\/b\u003e device. As intended, the medal is \u003cb\u003eunnamed\u003c\/b\u003e, though each original award was issued with a personalised certificate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAlthough unofficial and therefore worn on the \u003cb\u003eright breast\u003c\/b\u003e by British recipients, the Dunkirk Medal has become an historically significant and highly collectable piece, issued to thousands of men who endured bombardment, destruction, and constant threat along the Dunkirk perimeter. It stands today as one of the most recognisable commemoratives linked to the legendary evacuation of 1940.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eA fine example of this iconic medal, ideal for collectors of French awards, Operation Dynamo material, or Battle of France memorabilia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52877801128282,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20251126_131126.png?v=1764340074","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/ww2-dunkirk-medal-original-full-size-dunkirk-1940-british-french-wwii-medal","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}