RICHARD SHANNON

Private 5434287

Richard Shannon was born on 15 November 1911, the son of Richard and Fanny Shannon who farmed at Newton Farm, Cottage Green.� His brother George had the local milk round.� He attended the local school (Roll No. 665) from 10 May 1921 to 20 February 1925.� The School Register shows Richard, Effie, Violet and George Shannon all joining the school in May or June 1921, having previously been resident in �Ballydehob, Ireland�.

In 1940 Richard Shannon was serving in the 2^nd Battalion, the Duke of Cornwall�s Light Infantry as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France.� As the German Blitzkrieg swept through the Low Countries, 2^nd DCLI, as part of 4^th Division, advanced into Belgium in May.� With the rest of the BEF the battalion fell back towards Dunkirk, and fought a heroic delaying battle on the River Escaut (a battle honour for the DCLI).�� On 1 June 1940, the day that Richard Shannon died aged 28, 2^nd DCLI were evacuated by sea from the jetty in Dunkirk � whether he was killed in action on the day or died of wounds is not known.

Richard Shannon is remembered with honour in Dunkirk Town Cemetery (Plot 2 Row 14 Grave 29).

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DUNKIRK

JUNE 1940

The heroic stand of 2^nd Battalion

DCLI at River Escaut was one of

Several vital delaying actions which bought time for the evacuation to be completed.