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Thursday, 07 July 2011 00:00 |
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We were all very sad that yet again we lost another of our beloved D-Day veterans. Our friend Jim Wilkinson of the 15th Scottish Regiment passed away in early June. He landed on Sword Beach and took part in horrendous battles across Normandy. He went in with 250 men in his group and he was one of only 8 who survived. Jim had always led a very active life, took part in many trips, collections and anything else he could take part in. He would often be seen helping out his neighbours cutting their grass as well as up ladders repairing gutters etc on his 2 story house. Amazing for an elderly 88 year old. He just didn't stop, but then he suddenly came down with cancer of the stomach, became wheelchair bound and within months was gone. See his story in the Members Profiles section.
God Bless you Jim and thank you! |
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Saturday, 12 February 2011 14:05 |
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NORMANDY 2011
and so the gallant very small group once again travelled to Normandy to commemorate the 67th anniversary of D-Day (6th June 1944) there were just two D-Day veterans with us this time, Trooper Jim Smith of the Westminster Dragoons, who landed on D-Day itself at 7.35am in a Sherman Flail Tank and Charlie Francis who was a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps. Charlie was part of the division that had just days to build a by-pass around the bombed out city of Caen so supplies building up on the D-Day beaches could follow through supplying the advancing armies heading through France towards Holland, Belgium and more. Charlie did in fact finish up in Berlin as part of the occupation army. Both veterans were mobbed by the crowds in St Mere Eglise on June 5th and were special guests of the Mayor there for lunch. Once again we proudly took part in ceremonies and wreath layings in Omaha Cemetery and Bayeax Cemetery where Charlie laid a wreath. We also laid a wreath at the grave of 16 year old Jack Banks in Jerusalem Cemetery.
Jim Smith was once again honoured by the Mayor of Ver su Mere and curator of the Gold Beach Museum. We all took part in a memorial parade in Ver su Mere where Jim laid a wreath at the memorial.
All in all a most memorable and moving experience but sad to see the deminishing numbers of actual D-Day veterans able to attend anymore. Several who we knew from previous years were now in wheelchairs as was our own Jim Smith. But they all talk about perhaps next year and even the 70th anniversary in another 3 years time! making them a minimum of 91 to 92 years old by then. Who said old soldiers never die, they just simply fade away. So we can only wait and see.
God Bless them All! |
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In Remembrance of Albert & Stan |
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Saturday, 12 February 2011 13:55 |
 We were so very sorry to lose more colleagues of late. In June, our dear friend Albert Rogers passed away. Albert was always such a supporter of our association and indeed helped at various charity collections. Albert was in the Royal Navy and was on the infamous Omaha Beach on D-Day.
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Monday, 07 June 2010 00:00 |
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We were pleased to hear that a small group of Normandy veterans and their families were still able to undertake an annual pilgrimage to the D-Day Beaches of Normandy
despite their increasing ages.
We hear they were still honoured as they paraded through Arromanches on the evening of the 6th, as well as a service and wreath laying in Bayeux cemetery that morning. There were still a number of events and ceremonies organised by the French in various towns and villages, so it is nice to know that dark span in their history will always be remembered and honoured for all those who gave their lives for their freedom. Let’s hope that was can all continue to educate the young on the history of WWII.
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CHRISTMAS LUNCH/REUNION/AGM |
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Tuesday, 01 September 2009 16:11 |
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Tentative plans are being made that this year we will have an annual Christmas Lunch/Reunion as an alternative to our usual evening dinner. This has come about due to the needs of some of our aging veterans who have been a bit reluctant in the past in coming out on a cold December night and then having a late journey home. So this year we will try a a Christmas lunch during daylight hours instead.
In addition, we have often faced similar problems in early January for our annual general meeting and again getting members out on a cold January day.
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Read more...
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65th ANNIVERSARY IN NORMANDY - 6th JUNE 1944-2009 |
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Tuesday, 01 September 2009 16:07 |
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Once again in June our Association, in two buses, embarked on our annual great crusade of remembrance to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary. As before, we had managed to obtain grants to cover the costs of taking a group of school children with our veterans for a unique learning experience about the 6th of June 1944. In addition giving everyone the opportunity to meet old comrades, visit museums and share the experience. The school pupils also had the opportunity to take part in the various memorial parades and write their own personal messages on the poppy crosses that they laid.
The full story and pictures is in our Autumn newsletter in this website. |
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