THE Standard of the Gwent branch of the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans Association was handed over to the Trustees of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) on Saturday in a ceremony at The Castle, Monmouth.

The Association closed formally on 30th June this years, 60 years on, after a final pilgrimage to Dunkirk and the evacuation beaches.

The Standard of the Gwent (formerly Monmouth) branch was handed over to the Trustees for safe custody following the marking of the Two Minutes' Silence.

Chairman of the Gwent branch of the DVA Major Robin Medley said: "It is appropriate that the Standard, which has attended many pilgrimages to Dunkirk since the first visit in 1956, should rest in the museum of The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) on two counts.

"Both 100 and 101 Field Companies of the Regiment were at Dunkirk and their actions are recorded. The Standard will be kept for display in the county of Monmouth and will be seen by visitors to the museum.

"All the members of the 1940 Gwent Branch of the DVA are most appreciative in the knowledge the Standard will be in good hands."

The DVA was initially formed in Leeds and expanded to 109 branches world-wide. The National Standard of the DVA was laid up in The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, on Wednesday.