Sir Kenneth Branagh played Commander Bolton, Royal Navy, the pier master at Dunkirk. Writer, producer, and director Christopher Nolan explained that Bolton's character was a composite of several officers who performed heroically during the evacuation, but mostly Commander James Campbell Clouston. Clouston was born in Montreal, Québec, on August 31, 1900, and joined the Royal Navy in the midst of World War I. The Royal Canadian Navy was a fledgling service at the time, and it was not unusual for young Canadians who wanted to serve at sea to join the Royal Navy. Clouston did well as he advanced through the service, qualifying as a gunnery specialist, considered the cream of the Navy. In 1937, he became captain of the destroyer HMS Isis, which was undergoing refit when Dunkirk broke in late May 1940. He immediately volunteered to help, and was appointed pier master in the beleaguered port. From all accounts, he gave extraordinary service, working around the clock under the most demanding circumstances to evacuate as many soldiers as possible. He stayed until no more could be evacuated, but was killed in the English Channel on his way back to England when the vessel he was on was attacked by German aircraft. In July 1940, he was awarded a Mention in Despatches, the highest posthumous award for valor after the Victoria Cross.

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