IN a moment of deep emotion, the 14 remaining full members of the Richmond, Yorkshire, branch of the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association laid up their standard at Spennithorne church on Sunday.

When it was formed in September 1957, there were 167 veteran members. But now, with so few left and with the national association having been disbanded at the end of June, they felt it was time to lay up the standard at the church which had become so much part of their own local tradition.

Their president and chairman, Mr David Evans, is very determined, however, that they will stay in touch and will congregate at Spennithorne church again on June 3, 2001.

The connection with Spennithorne was begun back in the 1980s by the late Mr Tom Young. Each year he invited his fellow veterans to his home in Harmby and organised the parade services at Spennithorne and many fetes.

On Sunday they were joined by two associate members one of whom, the Rev Kenneth Alton, assisted the Rev Don Tordoff during the service which preceded the simple but evocative ceremony of laying up the standard.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by Mr Andrew Nicholson, a member of the Fishburn band, who lives near Barnard Castle. For ten years, since the 50th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation, he has played for them.

Mr Evans recited the exhortation so well known at Remembrance Day services, and Mr Jim Trevor handed over the standard for the last time, having carried it so faithfully at so many parades.

"It was quite a poignant event," commented Mr Evans. For him, like the others, it brought back yet again those unforgettable memories of the death, pain and final deliverance they experienced at Dunkirk.

He cannot remember if it was four or five days he waited to escape that nightmare. He cannot remember eating or drinking in that time, or the exact type of small boat, probably a fishing vessel, that finally took him and his pals to Dover. He does remember climbing down into its hold and falling immediately into an exhausted sleep.

The Richmond branch members were scattered across that 12-mile beach in very different regiments and met up after the war to share their experiences and support and encourage each other - something Mr Evans has no intention of their losing.