Harriet Beadnell

Harriet Beadnell is an independent researcher, specialising in veterans, memory and the legacy of the Second World War. She holds a PhD in History from the University of York, which explored the representation and identity of Second World War veterans since 1945. Harriet has previously published work in the Journal of War & Culture Studies and Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

Back to the Beaches: A History of the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans’ Association: 1953-2000

While Dunkirk has held a cultural significance symbolised in speeches and feature films, this book tells the untold story of how veterans themselves built the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans’ Association, with branches spanning the globe. Although historical accounts have traditionally highlighted Operation Dynamo’s strategic significance or the role of the civilian little ships that helped carry over 300,000 soldiers back to Britain, this research delves into a forgotten aspect of Dunkirk’s legacy: how those who were there later banded together to create their own network, established in Leeds in 1953. Drawing on archival material, ephemera, newspaper articles, association journals, and sources from founding members, this book presents the first history of the organisation and highlights the lasting importance of Dunkirk in the lives of veterans.