236460 Pte. Thomas Finnigan British Army 154th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps from:Liverpool Thomas Finnigan joined up on 7th November 1939, training at RAMC Depot Crookham Camp (Near Aldershot) from 7th November 1939 to 30th January 1940. He was attached to 154th Field Ambulance in the BEF which was part of 51st Highland Division.
They shipped to France on 31st January 1940. From 28th March, 51HD were deployed on a defensive line between Bailleul and Armentieres. From April 51HD moved to the Saar front in area of Hombourg-Budange.
On 10th May the Germans invaded Belgium. 51HD fought around Grossenwald.
On 20th May 51HD moved to Etian and Varennes, where they were cut off from the rest of BEF. 51HD then to hold line along Somme from Erondelle to sea.
On 4th June the Germans attacked Abbeville and forced 51HD back to the river Bresle, where supply lines were cut. 51HD was ordered to fall back to Bethune. The plan was to evacuate 51HD, but because they were unable to use Dieppe, the decision was made to use Le Havre.
On 9/10th June Ark force (154 Brigade) split off from 51HD to break through to defend Le Havre. They took up a defensive position from Fecamp to Lillebonne and so were not encircled like the rest of 51HD. The rest of 51HD attempted to vacuate through St Valery en Caux, but were surrounded and taken prisoner. We assume that Dad was with Ark force.
(He told Tommy once that they were in a copse near Dunkirk and they sent three trucks to try and break through. He went on one of the trucks. Tommy asked him how come he'd gone - because one of the other chaps on the lorries had a bottle of whisky).
He returned to the UK on 9/10th June 1940 and was transferred back to 153rd Field Ambulance.
His war record reads:
He came back to the UK on 14/1/46
and was demobbed on the 26/3/46.
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