"For most conspicuous gallantry on active service on the night of the
31st May/1st June, 1940. Captain Ervine-Andrews took over about a
thousand yards of the defenses in front of Dunkirk, his line extending
along the Canal de Bergues, and the enemy attacked at dawn. For over ten
hours, notwithstanding intense artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire,
and in the face of vastly superior enemy forces, Captain Ervine-Andrews
and his company held their position. The enemy, however, succeeded in crossing the canal on both
flanks; and, owing to superior enemy forces, a company of Captain
Ervine-Andrews' own battalion, which was dispatched to protect his
flanks, was unable to gain contact with him. There being danger of one
of his platoons being driven in, he called for volunteers to fill the
gap, and then, going forward, climbed onto the top of a straw-roofed
barn, from which he engaged the enemy with rifle and light automatic
fire, though, at the time, the enemy were sending mortar-bombs and
armour-piercing bullets through the roof. Captain Ervine-Andrews personally accounted for seventeen of the
enemy with his rifle, and for many more with a Bren gun. Later, when the
house which he held had been shattered by enemy fire and set alight,
and all his ammunition had been expended, he sent back his wounded in
the remaining carrier. Captain Ervine-Andrews then collected the
remaining eight men of his company from this forward position, and, when
almost completely surrounded, led them back to the cover afforded by
the company in the rear, swimming or wading up to the chin in water for
over a mile; having brought all that remained of his company safely
back, he once again took up position. Throughout this action, Captain Ervine-Andrews displayed courage,
tenacity, and devotion to duty, worthy of the highest traditions of the
British Army, and his magnificent example imbued his own troops with the
dauntless fighting spirit which he himself displayed."
From Capt. Ervine-Andrews' Victoria Cross citation, awarded on July 30, 1940.
A true honored ally,
Brian & Melonie
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