Normandy June 2004

Well what a trip, apart from seeing my girls born and getting married, that was one of the greatest moments in my life, hope that doesn’t sound too sad lol. Just to be around these men, in their presence, talking to them, watching them march, it was amazing. Also I have to say that I think we were very lucky to have been staying where we were, security was everywhere, a huge Police presence, British Para’s and army air Corps were everywhere. But even though there was this huge security it didn’t spoil the occasion for us. We didn’t have to show our Veterans passes once, I think because we were in the area we were fine. I’m afraid John didn’t do so well, from what I read of his texts, but I’ll let him tell his story. To top it all of we had gorgeous weather, and I’m afraid we forgot to put on sun cream and we have got a little burnt.

Thursday 3rd

Well Thursday morning we arrived at Portsmouth harbour to get inline for the ferry, and what a sight, a long line of WW2 vehicles waiting to board, 40mm bofor guns, jeeps, half tracks allsorts waiting to get on. I asked some chap dressed to the nines in his WW2 uniform where they were heading to in Normandy and he said they were staying near Bayeux in a mock WW2 British camp.

Once on board the ferry we made our way to the top decks so we would have a good view on leaving Portsmouth. As the ferry departed and we were passing Navy ships like the Warrior, the Ark Royal and other ships that were flying the Stars and stripes and the Canadian flag, an old Gordon Highlander and his son both dressed in uniform made their way to the highest point on the ferry, the son then started playing the bag pipes, WOW, can you imagine leaving Portsmouth on a gorgeous morning surrounded by veterans passing all these ships, and heading towards Normandy to the sound of bag pipes, magical.

It was then that two old boys dressed in NVA (Normandy Veterans Association) suits which usually consists of black blazer and grey trousers, came and stood next to us as we were leaving port. I commented to them that I bet you weren’t played out of port 60 years ago by the bag pipes. It was then that they introduced themselves as Harry and Peter, they were both landing craft crew who took the boys in to the beaches. Harry said that funnily enough they didn’t get bagpipes on the way out but he landed the Commandos of Lord Lovat and of course Bill Millin. Peter had flown all the way from New Zealand to be at Normandy for the 60th, he had never been back since loosing the bottom half of one leg in the landings and he jokingly said I’m back to find it but it wouldn’t be very recognisable. I asked Peter how he lost it, he told me that as his LC was coming into the beach and it hit a mine, this wounded his officer and stopped the ramp door coming down. Peter told me that he sat holding his officer and he died in his arms. Next Peter said that in the distance what looked like an old shed suddenly turned into an 88 mm gun, it fired at his LC and this is what got Peters leg. Harry didn’t say much about his experiences I got the impression that this is the way he liked it so didn’t ask him too much. As Harry was telling us about how they met, Peter was of wandering around, he actually never stopped, poor Harry was supposed to be looking after him but Peter kept disappearing lol.

During the crossing so much was going on, there were veterans everywhere, I got 3 old Glider pilots to sign Brian’s book for me, they had been at Normandy and Arnhem. The piper from earlier on kept going round the ship and playing to demand, a band of the Army Air Corp played on the open deck at the back of the ship, playing old songs from the war. It was great just to sit in the sun and watch all these old boys chatting to their modern day counterparts, going to the bar and chatting about old times with one another. There was then a little memorial by some old Paras, a group of them said some words and then threw a poppy wreath over the side, I assumed that maybe a plane of Paras crashed into the sea around this spot on the way over and hence the ceremony. We then sited the Normandy coastline and everyone went to the top decks of the ferry to watch as the beaches came into view. I then tried to imagine what it must of felt like for those young lads approaching the beaches but its just not possible when the sea is so calm and the sun shinning.

So now a bit of panic sets in as we leave the ferry as its time to drive on the right hand side, but it goes ok and I just follow everyone else. Its surprisingly quiet on the roads which seemed to be the case the whole time we was there, I wondered if the local population had decided to flee to the South as they knew hordes of Brits and Americans were coming lol. Having said that though we hit a traffic jam going over Pegasus bridge for the first time on our way to the campsite, as we approached the bridge soldiers of the Air corp and Parachute regiment were everywhere and you could see quite a few veterans milling around already and this was only the 4th. After a fun hour putting the tent up we decided it was time for something to eat and maybe a walk to Ranville war cem which was only about half a mile from our campsite. As we came out of the campsite you looked straight across the corn fields which was DZ N back 60 years ago, you can see why they choose this area. The war cem was really quite, I was very surprised at this as I thought this would be a main place for people to visit. So I spent some time walking along the many graves trying to recognise names that I had read about. I then found the grave of Jack Millard this was a soldier from the Waricks regiment, who had fought at Dunkirk as well, I will post a little about Jack later on, I took some pictures of the grave for his family, who I had promised I would.


Friday 4th

We went to Hermanville war cem in the morning to place a wreath for Brian, now Hermanville is a beautiful war cem if that’s a way to describe a cemetery. Unlike Bayeux this cem is surround by trees and bushes and is way of the main road. The only sounds you hear are the birds and the church bells. Out side the gates of the cem is the black and red triangles of the British 3rd Division set into car park tarmac, very fitting as most of the men buried here are from that div. Again this cem was empty nobody there but Liz and myself, we placed the wreath from Brian and the flowers from us on the main monument in the cem as Brian requested. We then walked amongst the graves looking at names, I filmed the many graves of Sappers and Suffolks that were there for Brian and Dick Harris, incase they remember any of them.

We then decided to take a look at Hillman, I’m sure any of you who have read Brian Guy’s and Richard Harris’s accounts of this German strong point will know how hard a nut this place was to crack. One of the bunkers there was very big with many rooms, I chatted to an old RA vet who said crikey, you can see why this place was so hard to take, as he studied the map of the area. We didn’t stay here for long as it started raining and I couldn’t film much, so we decided to go and have a look for Collville Montgomery where the parade was taking place on the 5th. We got a bit confused because there are two Collville M’s the one we wanted was Collville M plage. So we drove through CM towards the coast and a couple of miles down the road was CM ‘P. We knew we were at the right place because there was a statue of Monty on what is like the village green. We drove another few hundred yards and parked opposite the beach, Lion Sur mer which I think and hoped was part of Queen red sector where Brian landed, if not it wasnt far from there. As we walked along the beach in the drizzle a coach full of veterans pulled up opposite the memorial along the beach road and got out for a look, the first thing that caught my eye was the Red uniform of a Chelsea pensioner he was standing with a friend and walked onto the beach, I went up and said hello, and found out he was in the Kings own Scottish Borderers and lost an eye in Normandy, now im afraid I didn’t think and a terrible Ham n Jam joke came out as I asked him if had come back to Normandy to find it?, luckily they both laughed loudly at this and I was quite relieved, His name was Bill Lumsden and I got him to sign Brians book. The other veterans from this coach were looking at the memorial and were shouted at to get back on as they were late for lunch, poor Bill got caught by a TV crew and made the coach even more late. Also at this monument was Jeremy Thompson from Sky news, I think he and his crew were looking for veterans to interview, they soon vanished when the coach had gone.


Next, Saturday 5th and the march past of 1200 NVA members

Plus Ham N Jam meets the Ox and Bucks and one Wally Parr

Sounds totally awesome! What an experience to have. Can't wait to hear more.

Paige

Andy... this is exactly the kind of report that we (the ones who were so stupid to stay at home) have been waiting for all the time!!!! Reading your post was a real treat. Especially your description of the feeling that came over you when you saw the beaches of Normandy approaching.

Looking forward to read (and see) more!

Nice one Andy, can't wait for the next report.
It sounds like you had a great time with all the vets, maybe someone should have warned them of your jokes though.

Green with envy Mk1

What a story! I would have loved to have made the trip. That must have been some voyage of memory for those veterans.

Did you get photographs? The full name of the New Zealander?

Indeed I did David, im hoping topost some of the pics ive got . The veteran from New Zealand, Peter Hutchins, went to live down there after the war, he told us that he had family just about in every city of Australia bless him. Harry's full name is Harold Ashunt. Im not 100% on some of these spellings of names as being that age and standing up, the signatures are not all that clear. Apparently Harry and Peter only met around the time of the 50th anniversary, although not in person, they were both part of the Landing craft association and communicated by faxes and letters so Harry said.

Andy

Excellent and fascinating report, Andy!

Waiting now for the next report...

Mark

Thanks for sharing it. Can't wait to hear more. Glad you had a great time with the vets.
Hoobler and Muck fan

Andy, superb reports. I got a chill down my spine. Wow. LC vets who remember Lord Lovat and Bill Millin. With the backdrop of the piper, Portsmouth and the Solent. Wonderful word pictures.

I'm most happy that you've had this experience. You've earned it. y.o.s., Doug

Harold Ashunt and Peter Hutchins
Normandy Veterans Association
LST & Landing Craft Association

Poppies from Brian

Hermanville War Cemetery Monument

Andy & BK, if you only knew how much we appreciate your reports and your photos!! Thanks for thinking of us and for taking the time to keep us informed. Anxiously looking forward to more reports!!!

Paul

Doug funnily enough I have a funny feeling I walked past Bill Millin ( I think he is still with us?). I was watching something on telly before we went and he was on it.
Well when walking over the bridge on the 5th I passed this veteran wearing a kilt who had 3-4 other men with him chatting away, as we all walked passed each other I did a double take, he looked at me and smiled. It was a smile that said when thought about it afterwards, yes its me lol. Now it could of been any Scottish veteran as there were many at the bridge in full Scots uniforms, and he was just looking at me thinking, oi who you looking at. Plus we had been sitting in the 3 gliders bar all afternoon watching out for Ox n' Bucks vets, and of course when your in a bar/pub you need to have a drink or 2 when your sat out in the heat.

Maybe I should have stopped him and asked ( BK will tell me I should have done)
but it was very very busy and by the time I had got my thoughts together they had dissapeared into the crowds. Still ill take consolation in that I saw his bagpipes in the Pegasus museum lol.

Like I said its been one of the best weekends in my life and I feel so pleased and lucky that I got to meet alot of these men, I will never forget it. But, im also sad in that I will probably never experience it again, im sitting here now thinking of that idea and my eyes are welling up. Soft Limey lol.

Thankyou folks for reading them

Andy

Andy, lad, we're feeling all the emotions you're sending. And that would be great reportage. Yep, to have the sense that you connected with Bill Millin . . . Wow.

Whether you did or not in reality, the excitement beams through. Could have been. Good on you, Doug

Hermanville, Normandy (all pictures taken by Andy)

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Thankyou very much BK and Bart for posting these pics for me


Saturday 5th June

That morning I was up at 6am and straight into the showers, Liz said you never get up like that at home when its time lol. I thought it best we get to Collville Montgomery early so we could get a good spot to watch everything. Well when we arrived the place was busy already, mainly with French and British soldiers setting stuff up and organising things. It wasnt long after that a coach load of veterans turned up, very smart they looked and you could hear their medals jangling as they debussed. Considering all the fuss made over security we were walking amongst them all, and in all areas, I heard somebody comment what a waste of time it was having all these passes. We had a chat with a vet called Gordon Smith he was a S/Sergeant in the 1051 Port company, lovely man who asked us where we were from and talked about the days up and coming events.

Where we were, was the gathering place for all the veterans and family members and so on, this was in a big open air car park just across the road from the beach. Soon the place was filling up as more and more coaches turned up. I was in my element, Liz could see me grinning from ear to ear as I kept seeing all these cap badges these men were wearing. All these regiments that I have read about were now being represented infront of my eyes by these veterans.

I had Brian’s book with me and thought I would get people to sign it as I had nothing else on me, and being special anyway thought it appropriate. Soon it was filling up with signatures as we talked to veterans, some may know I’m always going on about Hill 112 well one chap Alan Mewitt (not sure on surnames spelling as its not clear) was from B company Wiltshire regiment the 43rd Wessex division, he was telling me a bit about his war, he had been at Hill 112 and Mount Picon. I chatted to another chap Mr Marshall from the 11th armoured division, James Ferguson from the 53rd Recce regiment, Jack Brotherhood from the 1st heavy regt, two great blokes from the 49th Polar bears (remember them from Barts thread and picture?) they were also in the recce regt, plus Frank from the 9th Royal Tank Reg, Jack Scott RAF and many more.

I then saw this old boy in a wheel chair whose blazer was brimming full of medals, I asked him to sign and his daughter was proud to tell me that he had also served with the BEF and had been at Dunkirk, this explained his many medals of which she was telling me what each one was for. Wow I felt so humble. I felt bad that I didn’t go round them all, you name the regiment there was somebody there from it. I know and I’ve heard that lots of medals mean very little, somebody could be sent to Italy for a day and then be called back and are then entitled to wear an Italian Campaign medal. Some old boys walked around with maybe just 2-3 medals and I wanted to talk to them all but it just was not possible.

The time was about 10.45 am when the veterans fell in, the poor old souls had been standing around in the sun for ages and now they had to line up in companies. We managed to stand directly in front of the car park exit, so we had a prime view for when they marched out. They were led out by a band from the Coldstream guards (I think). What amazed me was how well they marched, in time and in step. Each company had a Guards sergeant major leading them, and giving them encouragement, although some were a little over the top we thought. One of the SM’s told his company of veterans to march tall and that it was a proud moment for them, brought a lump to our throat’s. The crowd clapped them all the way down to the monument. I wanted to clap as well but I was filming and couldn’t. Another S M shouted at his company “ keep in line ladies” which brought much laughter from the veterans, must have took them back to their square bashing days.

There were so many veterans that it caused a jam as they marched onto the green surrounding Monty’s statue. We followed them down the road and joined the crowd gathered round. I thought this was great as When Monty gave talks to his troops he stood in the middle of his men and told them to gather round, as he stood usually on a jeep.

It was a bit of a shame because you could not hear the service, they could have done with speakers all around so everyone could hear. At this stage I think many in the crowd became bored especially the French people who possibly couldn’t understand any of it, and that’s if they could hear anything anyway. Many of us in the crowd were annoyed when the last post finished and a 1 minute silence started, and all you could hear were French accents talking away, laughing and joking, but thats a small grumble because they gave them great cheers when they were marching. We then had parachutists jumping out of a helicopter and all the veterans were clapped as they marched back to the car park. We then stayed in the car park promenade for ages watching and chatting with them. There were Scottish dancers (doing the highland fling me thinks) a band of the Royal Marines playing all the old war time songs.

It was one of the most memorable mornings of my life, but the day was just about to get better.

Andy

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Thankyou Bart

These pics are from the Normandy veterans parade that was at Colleville Motgomery, where around 1200 Normandy Veterans marched.

Andy

Do you think this is a fishing trip and you can leave us hanging on.

More more, type faster, stop teasing.

Still green with envy (although it might be sea sick. lol) Mk1

Hello ham and jam,

I was engrossed with interest in your first report on your Normandy visit
you like me tried to fit a lot in whilst at the same tim eyou knew that
you would miss certain events of commeroration - really frustrating wasnt it.
You made a big effort to stop and chat to the vets which was great - I wanted to
stop so many of them but its impossible to get round to them all.
My enduring memory will be that these men seemed really humble
about their actions - they did what they thought was best and SERVED their
country.
very few people become famous but we can all acheive greatness as greatness
is measured by service - I firmly believe that we both encountered
greatness in these men.
I have reported a couple of stories on this super web site and its wonderfull
to read other peoples stories as well - who knows I may passed you
right by in one of the very many busy streets of the very many busy villages.

One very solemn moment for myself and 11yr old son who was with me was
our visit to Utah beach on the evening of the 5th.
We collected with a hundred or so american folks - of all ages onto the sand
dunes beside the visitor centre and looked at the beach and scenery and
soaked up some atmosphere. We all stayed in mass unison until the red sun
set and a cloak of twilight fell upon the sands - this was really moving.
The fireworks blasted into the night sky about 1 hour later on the beach and
brought with them a celebratory mood and one of thanks giving too - it
was a great spectacle as further down the sands towards omaha beach
bright red beacon like fireworks lit the sands as far as the landscape
could be seen.
That night my son and I drove up the hill from the beach to St Mere du Mont
and parked our car beside the church and settled down to sleep in the car.
I personally was wide awake til well past 1.30 am and saw 10 guys in full
US combat gear in 2 willys jeeps park up and wander round the church
just soaking up atmosphere from 60 yrs ago.

It was a different and super experience to take some time out of a hectic
lifestyle to just go to france and be part of the celebrations and
enjoyment of the occassion.

looking forward to reading more of your trip.
regards Mitch.

Hi Mitch, its strange on the way out all these old men were in association clothes, berets, medals the works. On the way home on the ferry most of them had taken everything off, and they just blended back into the crowd just like any other group of pensioners. I just walked round the shops in my local town ( I went to buy the BBC DVD of D-day) and of course the place was full of old people shopping and im walking round thinking were you a Normandy veteran, or a veteran of WW2.
Very strange feeling indeed.

You mention how humble they are, yep when I went up to them and talked to them or asked them to sign a book, I said, Sir, would you mind signing this for me. They looked at me as if to say, Sir , what you on about lol.

You know on the ferry over to Normandy I heard quite a few American accents, and also on the way back. I often wondered if any of these Americans were from these boards.

Thanks for posting Mitch, enjoyed reading it.

.

Sorry mate, its not intentional. Im not the best typer, speller and so on in the world and it takes me ages. Although I got to get a move on incase I forget anything


Andy

Saturday afternoon 5th June

I could have stayed for ages at Colleville but I knew there was going to be a Para drop somewhere around Ranville where we were staying, so it was with heavy heart that I left the NVA boys behind. I knew access to Pegasus would be shut so we had to do a detour back towards Caen to cross the river further up, so that we could drive back down to Ranville. You know there was a policeman on nearly every roundabout and road junction, if you got lost it would be easy just to stop and ask (that’s all being well that the policeman could speak English) Luckily we didn’t go wrong although on the way back to Caen I saw signs for places that ive been really wanting to visit like Lebisey woods, Chateau de la londe, Blainville and so on. I really wanted to stop but I knew if we left it any longer we would probably miss the drop, so on we drove.

As we got back to Ranville the place was heaving with people, most of the fields around the village were full of spectators waiting for the drop. As we turned into the road that leads to our campsite we couldn’t believe what we saw, the road was lined with hundreds and hundreds of people all along the grass verges. I didn’t think we were going to get back into our campsite but we managed. We parked the car up next to the tent and walked back to the main gates (around 100 meters) and there we were right in prime posisition to watch the drop, now how would you get a better spot to be staying than that.

We got our deck chairs found a space and waited, the drop was supposed to happen around 2.30pm and as the time ticked by we could hear now and then the rumble of planes. Everyone stopped and looked up to the sky, which was clearing by the minute.

Then I spotted a Hercules transport bomber over head, I think it was just surveying the area and stuff as it soon disappeared. It must have been gone 3pm that we finally saw the first plane approach the drop zone. I must explain that the corn fields right outside our campsite was DZ N during the early hours of June 6th and when you look at this big open space you can see why it was chosen. The first plane dropped around 15 people they were using the modern sky diving chutes and took ages to descend, I thought that’s a bit lame why cant they use similar chutes to those they used 60 years ago. It was only later that I learnt this first drop was of young teenagers who belonged to some sort of organisation.
It seemed like ages went by before on the horizon out towards the sea a Hercules came into view, then another and another until you could see around 6. As they approached the DZ you could see men standing in the doorway, and out they came one after the other much quicker than the previous drop and YES using old fashioned or what seemed to me old fashioned chutes. Amazing site, each Hercules dropped around 25-30 men. I had heard that only around 100 men were going to be dropped and I thought wow its already gone over that. We thought that was it, then it got better as two Dakotas came humming over complete with white wing markings and RAF insignia and out dropped some more Paras, to be honest for me it was more like what Arnhem probably looked like as this was a day drop. Well as we sat and watched, the Hercules made another 2 drops and im think well bleep me this is a tad more than 100, with my maths I reckon they dropped around 5-600 men in these fields. Amazing. Then the planes kept circling and doing fly overs for most of the afternoon.

Next, Pegasus Bridge and the 3 gliders Restaurant

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Wow, that really must've been amazing to see all of that, i really envy you.
Please continue with your stories.

Ben

Pegasus Bridge and the 3 gliders Restaurant

Well after all the excitement of the Para drop we decided to go down to Pegasus bridge, as we walked over the first bridge, which is now named Horsa bridge we could see quite a bit going on in the distance. Between Horsa and Pegasus is the museum. I’ve never been in before, we didn’t bother on our last trip to Normandy so I was not going to miss it this time. It was very busy inside but you could see all the exhibits. I got some good shots of Bill Millins bagpipes, Lt Colonel Pine Coffins uniform, also Major General Windy Gales. Some great exhibits of Airborne weapons, and many bits and pieces found around the area of the bridges are on display. I found a great picture of the men from D company and managed to take a close up of Denis Edwards. Outside you have the original Pegasus bridge, the old one is too small for modern day traffic so had to be replaced with the current one, much to the dismay of Major Howard when he was still alive. I walked across the old bridge and stopped in the spot where Denny Brotheridge was supposed to have been when he was hit in the neck by machine gun fire. As I was getting to the end I noticed an old gentleman with an audience of 3 American Paratrooper Re-enactors. I quickly got of the bridge and went to have a nose and a listen. As I approached I noticed he had the cap badge of the Ox ‘n Bucks and the regiments tie. I listened to him telling the American boys about stuff that happened around the bridge, we all listened captivated. When he finished I saw my chance and asked him if he would sign Denis Edwards book, yes of course I will he said, I know Denis Edwards. He said you know Denis is not out this year, to which I replied I did and that I hoped his wife was ok. He signed the book and put at the bottom the fighty 52nd, he said Denis would know what it meant, but he didn’t tell me lol. I then had a quick nosey at the Horsa glider that was unveiled earlier in the day by Prince Charles and Jim Wallwork who was pilot of Glider 1.

As we walked over the bridge and came to café Gondree on the left and the 3 Gliders on the right, we decided to go into the 3 gliders as Gondree was packed with camera crews and everyone else it seemed who was in Benouville. As we walked over to the bar I noticed another Ox and Bucks cap badge and a veteran shuffling along with the help of a stick. I said to Liz that this man looks very familiar and as he passed I said, I tell you what I’m sure that’s Wally Parr. Liz told me to go after him and say hello. I wasn’t 100% sure and didn’t want to make a fool of myself. As I sat there he disappeared over the bridge and into the crowds. It sunk in that this was Wally Parr and I had missed him.

I then noticed in the corner sat round a big table another O.B vet, I thought I’m not missing this one and went up to introduce myself. This chap was Titch Rayner who landed in glider number 4, now a quick history of glider # 4 if you don’t already know. This glider should have landed first but was pulled of course by the tug plane, it landed some 8 miles away to the East. Although some men were lost in fighting on the way back to the bridge to re-join the company they made it to the bridges on the 7th June after going through marshy floodland of the Dives valley.

A relation of his told me how he got the nickname Titch, Titch had a brother who was born before him, when he was delivered he weighed something like 13 lb’s (make your eyes water ladies,) when Titch was born they thought he was a runt at weighing only 8lb’s lol. Now who should I see coming over the bridge in the distance? one Wally Parr returning to the scene of the crime. I put my beer down and said to Liz I’m off, I’m not missing him this time. So over the bridge I went to the shuffling Wally, “ Excuse me Sir are you Wally Parr? “yea”, me “would you mind signing my book please” wp “why” like an idiot I said, “ err cos your Wally Parr”. He laughed and said yea course in his London accent. By this time we were blocking one of the pathways over the bridge and quite a crowd was building up behind us. Some seeing that this old guy was signing a book started taking pictures. I told Wally that I was sorry if I had given his identity away and he said he was used to it. I tried to explain to him that on a website I visit we had had his Grand daughter and son as guests. To which Wally replied “yea probably”. I then thought I’d better let him go and also the crowd to get going over the bridge lol.

Now as we sat back at the 3 gliders, Wally walked in and went and sat down with Titch in the corner. Now over the course of the next hour or two a stream of Ox n’ Bucks came into the 3 gliders. Nobby Clarke glider 2, Dougie Allen glider 5, David Wood glider 2 now David Wood was brilliant he warmly shook my hand and chatted away laughing and smiling, actually they all did. Mr Packwood who landed in glider 1 with Major Howard, Major Freddy Scott who landed in the 2nd wave, Peter Boyle who was co pilot of glider 3, Terry Lovick 2nd O &B’s, Peter “Rocky” Bright glider 5, Sgt Ashton 2nd O. B, A Roberts glider 2. WOW I tell you it was so surreal. I sat there with one stupid grin on my face, hehehe.

Later on we were watching the goings on over the road at café Gondree, when we saw this old Para veteran being interviewed by the telly. Now if your not British you wont know who these are, but standing in one little area you had Jeremy Thompson of Sky news, Mark Austin from ITN, Alistair Stewart of London tonight, all standing side by side being filmed. Well Liz said I’m going to walk past them on the way to get a drink from Gondree, she walked behind them and grinned at the camera’s lol typical Liz that is. This old Para veteran was still being interviewed I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I thought he must be somebody famous. Well as Liz came out and I went up to her I said I know this old boys face but I just cant think who it is. She said shall I go and get his autograph, I said yea if you dare, well that’s was it she doesn’t back down and over she went just as a photographer was snapping away at him. She said would you please sign my husbands book, and he sighed and said well I’m not really supposed to, Liz said oh go on I’m sweet, to which the veteran said yea I know that’s why I’m going to sign the book. He signed and then said I hope you haven’t started anything now, to which Liz gave him a kiss and walked the few yards over to show me the autograph. I looked at it and said, bloody hell do you know that is ?, no she said RICHARD BLODDY TODD. Liz never shut up then the rest of the evening about getting a kiss from Richard Todd.

The night wore on and the crowds got bigger and it was difficult to know who was who and what regiment. We had a brilliant firework display that went on for ages, and we got chatting to some of the Army air Corps boys, these are the modern day Glider pilot regiment. The 2 we chatted to were actually flying in the helicopter display that had happened earlier in the day, John I think his name was, said that he felt quite choked up as the 3 helicopters hovered over the exact position the 3 gliders landed on the night 60 years ago. John was hovering over Major Howards glider position. They offered to buy us a drink and so we spent a good while chatting outside Café Gondree amongst the many other veterans, soldiers, and spectators. The army Air Corps then led a march over Pegasus of Para veterans and then stopped right outside Café Gondree, the daughter of Madame Gondree came out and made a lovely speech to the crowd gathered out side the café.

At around Midnight the veterans of the Coup De Main force held a memorial service at Major Howards statue or bust, I was told before we went over that we wouldn’t be allowed near the bridges at this time, well we certainly were. Although an area was fenced of for the coup de main people you could still watch and listen to the proceedings as David Wood did the speech. This is the first time I saw Jim Wallwork or was told that’s who it was. I was hoping to get him to sign the book but I think he must have took his cap of that had the glider pilot regiment badge on, and so he just mingled in with the rest of them as the party left the area. I was determined to pounce on anyone wearing the GPR cap badge but didn’t see any.

Time was getting on now and it had been a really long day, it had been very hot all day and we were pretty much tired out, but we had one more quick stroll to the café Gondree, and bumped into a veteran of 2nd SAS who had served in Normandy and Holland (Market garden). He and his para pal who hadn’t fought in WW2 were really friendly and were telling us allsorts. Apparently some of the air corps lads and one Peter Boyle and a few other vets had been on the bridge at 4am and Peter Boyle had dared this young air corp lad to jump in and swim the river to which the lad did. We chatted for a bit longer and then decided that if we didn’t leave now we would soon be collapsing as we had a fair stroll back to camp. We shook hands and sadly left.

Andy

Next, d-day, or should I say ill do that tommorow lol.

Andrew, you have wildly exceeded my dreams with your report. I am so happy you were able to get so close and see and meet so many of the men. Bless that wife of yours for making that all happen. But you!! That was your reward for all the diligent digging and studying of this history you have done over the past few years.

You enrich us all with your reports. I just want to squeeze you for these fabulous word images! Thanks, from the bottom of my heart. BK

Well Andy...Now Im Jealous

It must've been a once in a lifetime moment to have mixed with such men. Your books must be filled with autographs. Its time to start praying that some of these chaps may decide to travel next year so that I can meet them.
By the sounds of it it couldnt have been better...glorious weather and in the company of such great men
Im so please for you and the vets that everything went so well

Boy, that is one fantastic story. You met some great warriors.

I'm envious and admiring.

Andy,
Those are excellent photos. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.
Hoobler and Muck fan

LOL, Andy. Love the Richard Todd story. And the rest of the images. And the excitement that pours out.

Very, very well told, Sir. I look forward to more.

ANDY ,

Thanks for adding this beautiful Report and magnificent pics !!!!


Currahee !!!!!!


Mark W.

Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful experiences in Normandy last weekend Andy. The way you tell them paints such wonderful pictures that its almost like being there when I'm reading what you've written.

I watched & taped all of the ITV live coverage on Saturday from Pegasus Bridge and saw Richard Todd being interviewed by Mark Austin...he seemed so lovely and genuine. My Grandma was watching with me at the time and she was going all gooey about what lovely twinkly eyes he (Richard Todd) had. A bit of an insight into the psyche of an 84 year old there! I just had a huge lump in my throat the whole time I was watching the coverage to see the veterans with all their medals on & everything...they really deserved being honoured like this, even if they don't see what they did as anything special. Just think, I might have seen you or Liz walking past in the background during the interview!

Please keep the installments coming, they're brilliant!

Vicky

Most excellent reports, Andy!

You have a vivid way of telling them, making us feel we were there as well, and I thank you for that.

Looking forward to the rest of your experiences.

Mark

Thankyou everyone for your kind comments really appreciate it.

Andy

Andy, I am so thrilled that you got to meet and see so many of your heroes. If anyone deserved to have this experience you did. Reading your posts is the next best thing to being there. And I love your pictures.

Vee

Last serie of photo's: Andy at Pegasus Bridge

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Corporal Wally Parr