3-023-672 - British Pathe Ltd/Heritage Images

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Being Greeted by Dean of Westminster Paul De Labilliere Upon Arrival at Westminster Abbey for the National Day of Prayer, (26 May) 1940. Second World War. 'In Britain, a day of prayer, for now it seems there is little that can be done, but pray. Maybe a few will escape, but the greater part of the army appears doomed. In Winston Churchill's words: "The nation prepares itself for grievous tidings".' More than 338,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, on the north coast of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940. The operation commenced after large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and surrounded by German troops during the six-week Battle of France. From "Time To Remember - Run Rabbit Run", 1940 ( Reel 3); documentary film about events of early months of 1940.