This is about the 8th time I’ve been out here and been lucky to have met some veterans through these trips. They are so humble about their achievements and rarely want to talk about what they went through other than their mates and the good memories. I’m honoured to attend the Normandy Veterans Association events back in the UK and to help in their fund raising. The recently completed memorial at Ver-Sue-Mer is outstanding
We visited Ver-Sue-Mer as per of the CL trip last year. As you say, it’s very impressive.
one of those days that if the Allied mission had failed to achieve its goals, the world would probably be a very different place today .. so many brave young men died and so many more lived to tell their tales .. as said, a pivotal day in world history
Jerusalem war cemetary is near Tilly in Normandy where a battle raged for 14 days. Two of the regiments involved were the Sherwood Forresters and the 24th Lancers. The latter regiment was disbanded at Jerusalem crossroads due to the heavy losses with survivors, including my father, going on to join other regiments. There are several of the regiment buried at Jerusalem cemetary
There are more Durham Light Infantry soldiers buried there than any other unit (24) and 3 Lancers. Just finished at the service there
Both my grandads were engineers. One worked at the ford plant in Romford. Was an ARP warden outside of work. The other was at farmer's in Lewisham. I know they did war work but never found out if either were involved when it came to the machinery and the landing craft for d day. They certainly were involved in other areas. Never got the chance to ask either about it.
I’ve been several times always around the 6th June. Everyone should go at least once. Most historians consider 6/6/1944 as the most important day of the 20th Century. Pictured is me with SAS veteran Don Baker at Peggy Bridge museum. I spent an hour on DDay +65 Years with him in 2009 chatting about his experiences, he is in his 90’s in this picture. I won’t go into detail of what he got up to but he was parachuted behind enemy lines six weeks before DDay along with six others from the SAS and a Jeep and obviously plenty of ammunition and ordnance, and the front line caught up with him six weeks after DDay. He was still wearing the same clothes he dropped in on almost 3 months later. He told me before he they said when you go in ‘do as much damage and kill as many of the hun as you can’ he added ‘we were very very good at it’ The other pic is my maternal grandfather who was a professional soldier from 1925-1951 he died in 1980, he went in with the first wave on DDay at Gold beach at 07-31. He told us many stories of DDay and on DDay 2009 I was in a restaurant in Arromanche discussing my grandfather when an old boy tapped me on the soldier, he had heard us talking and said he went in with my grandfather on DDay. He then showed us the exact route he and my grandfather took off the beach and up the bluffs at Gold beach. My grandfather boxed for the army and taught unarmed combat as well, he taught me to box when I was a kid, he was in the Hampshire reg, they were amalgamated with the Queens many years ago to form the PWRR based at Rochester castle. I then occasionally taught the PWRR prisoner handling and unarmed combat before they were deployed in Afghan. So it went full circle. These men, and many women are not footballers or pop stars they are bloody heroes and hard as nails.
Jerusalem war cemetary is near Tilly in Normandy where a battle raged for 14 days. Two of the regiments involved were the Sherwood Forresters and the 24th Lancers. The latter regiment was disbanded at Jerusalem crossroads due to the heavy losses with survivors, including my father, going on to join other regiments. There are several of the regiment buried at Jerusalem cemetary
I wonder who your father was? It'd perhaps be a name I might recognise. All the best, Rm.
Listening to some of the veterans talking this morning - young men and women going into the unknown, exceptionally brave, fighting for democracy and peace...
I did a pilgramage there in the 80s with a friend. It was a very moving experience and brought home the sacrifice of so many to give us freedom from fascism. We should never forget that.
If anyone is in the London Bridge area at midday today:
On Thursday, 6 June, HMS Belfast will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a simulated gun salute at midday. Please do not be alarmed by the sounds of gunshots; they are part of the ceremonial activities.
The ship was crucial in the operations on Gold and Juno beaches in 1944, and the salute will use pyrotechnics to mimic the firing of its historic 6-inch and 4-inch guns. This event is supported by BAE Systems, which also funded the vital conservation of these guns, originally manufactured by their predecessor, Vickers-Armstrong.
I’ve been several times always around the 6th June. Everyone should go at least once. Most historians consider 6/6/1944 as the most important day of the 20th Century. Pictured is me with SAS veteran Don Baker at Peggy Bridge museum. I spent an hour on DDay +65 Years with him in 2009 chatting about his experiences, he is in his 90’s in this picture. I won’t go into detail of what he got up to but he was parachuted behind enemy lines six weeks before DDay along with six others from the SAS and a Jeep and obviously plenty of ammunition and ordnance, and the front line caught up with him six weeks after DDay. He was still wearing the same clothes he dropped in on almost 3 months later. He told me before he they said when you go in ‘do as much damage and kill as many of the hun as you can’ he added ‘we were very very good at it’ The other pic is my maternal grandfather who was a professional soldier from 1925-1951 he died in 1980, he went in with the first wave on DDay at Gold beach at 07-31. He told us many stories of DDay and on DDay 2009 I was in a restaurant in Arromanche discussing my grandfather when an old boy tapped me on the soldier, he had heard us talking and said he went in with my grandfather on DDay. He then showed us the exact route he and my grandfather took off the beach and up the bluffs at Gold beach. My grandfather boxed for the army and taught unarmed combat as well, he taught me to box when I was a kid, he was in the Hampshire reg, they were amalgamated with the Queens many years ago to form the PWRR based at Rochester castle. I then occasionally taught the PWRR prisoner handling and unarmed combat before they were deployed in Afghan. So it went full circle. These men, and many women are not footballers or pop stars they are bloody heroes and hard as nails.
I had always thought the term D-Day meant specifically the first day of the Normandy operation... until I read about The Pacific war earlier this year. D-day was actually used in all amphibious landings.😂
Anyway, it's amazing to see the events that have been taking place this week. Those WWII veterans must be at least 96, 97 years old. I follow a few WWII accounts on Instagram and I get teary eyed watching the clips of the veterans visiting the cemetery in Normandy. They remind me of the last scene of Saving Private Ryan which I rewatched recently. I've seen so many war films over the years but that one really hit me the hardest. I was too young to be able to appreciate how good it was back when it was released.
I've read 5 memoirs written by US veterans of the Pacific war this year and currently reading the 6th one. Thoses books have changed my perspectives on life. I appreciate what I have now more and complain less. There will be fewer and fewer veterans to tell their stories but I hope all the books, films, TV series, documentaries and especially memorial events like the current ones will help keep the memories alive and pass them onto future generations.
The memorial is such a beautiful place to visit which I was lucky enough to go to last year. Planning to go back soon. Sitting here tears streaming down my face, thinking of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. So moving.
Been watching the service this morning, unbelievably moving. So many amazing stories, the man talking about the colleague who saved his life absolutely got to me. Heroes all.
My Grandad was in the Royal Army Service Corp, and drove ammunition re-supply trucks - he was supposed to be there on day 1 of D Day - however just before D Day, his wife (who would have been my Grandmother) died from breast cancer - the Army gave him 48 hours to bury his wife, and find a home for his 3 children (incl my Dad) and then return to base - he went ashore on 2nd day of D Day
Grandad was 32 at the time, and when the British Army liberated Ghent in Belgium he met an 18 year old Belgian lady, married her (!!!) and when the war ended brought her back to England - they lived in Sidcup, he had another 3 children with her, and they were together until he passed away in 1977
He was a real character, and spent most of his spare time in Sidcup Working Men’s Club drinking - I loved being with him - had a devil may care attitude to life, probably due to the war, which he never talked about (although my Dad told me that his Dad had told him that the things he saw, especially D Day, no person should have to see)
My Dad joined the REME as a National Serviceman in 1957, and was a soldier (full time, then TA) until 1993
This is Grandad with a WW1 German helmet on - he also had a Luger and a Hitler Youth knife - no idea what happened to them
My dad was 38 years old when he was called up in 1943. He didn't talk much about the war and was stationed around the Welsh coast on an AA battery for much of the time. He did his bit and was proud of it.
Watched last night's 80th celebration programme and today's service. Was in tears most of the time! The flowers from the kids to the veterans at the end, had me sobbing and I'm not ashamed to admit that! RIP to ALL the fallen hero's, may your God go with you. Xx
My uncle was a Sergeant in the Royal Marines. He was on a landing craft on D-Day. He was a big bloke and his role was to be a "pusher-offer" for anyone that didn't fancy the idea of getting off. He said that in the event he had nothing to do other than following everyone else off. But that wasn't always the case in other craft - and who can blame them. His wife - and I didn't find this out until her funeral a few years ago - had been married before to a Spitfire pilot that had died during the Battle of Britain. It is difficult to imagine what people went through in those awful times.
Just seen Biden walking along with Macron. He looks in worse shape than half the veterans there JFK used to wear a back brace to get about day to day. Heaven knows what machinery they are using to get Biden up and about!
My Grandad was in the Royal Army Service Corp, and drove ammunition re-supply trucks - he was supposed to be there on day 1 of D Day - however just before D Day, his wife (who would have been my Grandmother) died from breast cancer - the Army gave him 48 hours to bury his wife, and find a home for his 3 children (incl my Dad) and then return to base - he went ashore on 2nd day of D Day
Grandad was 32 at the time, and when the British Army liberated Ghent in Belgium he met an 18 year old Belgian lady, married her (!!!) and when the war ended brought her back to England - they lived in Sidcup, he had another 3 children with her, and they were together until he passed away in 1977
He was a real character, and spent most of his spare time in Sidcup Working Men’s Club drinking - I loved being with him - had a devil may care attitude to life, probably due to the war, which he never talked about (although my Dad told me that his Dad had told him that the things he saw, especially D Day, no person should have to see)
My Dad joined the REME as a National Serviceman in 1957, and was a soldier (full time, then TA) until 1993
This is Grandad with a WW1 German helmet on - he also had a Luger and a Hitler Youth knife - no idea what happened to them
My Grandad (on my Mum's side) was also in the RASC and his truck got blown up in France (not sure if still in Normandy). He and his mate leapt out (injured), scrambled up and over a hill only to find an American field hospital! He said that was so lucky. The shrapnel had pierced the seat he was in and he still had bits of it in his back for the rest of life.
My Grandad was in the Royal Army Service Corp, and drove ammunition re-supply trucks - he was supposed to be there on day 1 of D Day - however just before D Day, his wife (who would have been my Grandmother) died from breast cancer - the Army gave him 48 hours to bury his wife, and find a home for his 3 children (incl my Dad) and then return to base - he went ashore on 2nd day of D Day
Grandad was 32 at the time, and when the British Army liberated Ghent in Belgium he met an 18 year old Belgian lady, married her (!!!) and when the war ended brought her back to England - they lived in Sidcup, he had another 3 children with her, and they were together until he passed away in 1977
He was a real character, and spent most of his spare time in Sidcup Working Men’s Club drinking - I loved being with him - had a devil may care attitude to life, probably due to the war, which he never talked about (although my Dad told me that his Dad had told him that the things he saw, especially D Day, no person should have to see)
My Dad joined the REME as a National Serviceman in 1957, and was a soldier (full time, then TA) until 1993
This is Grandad with a WW1 German helmet on - he also had a Luger and a Hitler Youth knife - no idea what happened to them
My Grandad was in the Royal Army Service Corp, and drove ammunition re-supply trucks - he was supposed to be there on day 1 of D Day - however just before D Day, his wife (who would have been my Grandmother) died from breast cancer - the Army gave him 48 hours to bury his wife, and find a home for his 3 children (incl my Dad) and then return to base - he went ashore on 2nd day of D Day
Grandad was 32 at the time, and when the British Army liberated Ghent in Belgium he met an 18 year old Belgian lady, married her (!!!) and when the war ended brought her back to England - they lived in Sidcup, he had another 3 children with her, and they were together until he passed away in 1977
He was a real character, and spent most of his spare time in Sidcup Working Men’s Club drinking - I loved being with him - had a devil may care attitude to life, probably due to the war, which he never talked about (although my Dad told me that his Dad had told him that the things he saw, especially D Day, no person should have to see)
My Dad joined the REME as a National Serviceman in 1957, and was a soldier (full time, then TA) until 1993
This is Grandad with a WW1 German helmet on - he also had a Luger and a Hitler Youth knife - no idea what happened to them
Can see the resemblance between you and him mate.
Yes indeed - I am the spitting image of my Dad as well
He is literally the last man standing from 48 Royal Marine Commando. 48 Commando joined the Canadians on Juno beach, just a few days after his 20th birthday.
Comments
He was in the navy so maybe that's why.
Never got the chance to ask either about it.
Everyone should go at least once. Most historians consider 6/6/1944 as the most important day of the 20th Century.
Pictured is me with SAS veteran Don Baker at Peggy Bridge museum. I spent an hour on DDay +65 Years with him in 2009 chatting about his experiences, he is in his 90’s in this picture. I won’t go into detail of what he got up to but he was parachuted behind enemy lines six weeks before DDay along with six others from the SAS and a Jeep and obviously plenty of ammunition and ordnance, and the front line caught up with him six weeks after DDay. He was still wearing the same clothes he dropped in on almost 3 months later. He told me before he they said when you go in ‘do as much damage and kill as many of the hun as you can’ he added ‘we were very very good at it’
The other pic is my maternal grandfather who was a professional soldier from 1925-1951 he died in 1980, he went in with
These men, and many women are not footballers or pop stars they are bloody heroes and hard as nails.
Anyway, it's amazing to see the events that have been taking place this week. Those WWII veterans must be at least 96, 97 years old. I follow a few WWII accounts on Instagram and I get teary eyed watching the clips of the veterans visiting the cemetery in Normandy. They remind me of the last scene of Saving Private Ryan which I rewatched recently. I've seen so many war films over the years but that one really hit me the hardest. I was too young to be able to appreciate how good it was back when it was released.
I've read 5 memoirs written by US veterans of the Pacific war this year and currently reading the 6th one. Thoses books have changed my perspectives on life. I appreciate what I have now more and complain less. There will be fewer and fewer veterans to tell their stories but I hope all the books, films, TV series, documentaries and especially memorial events like the current ones will help keep the memories alive and pass them onto future generations.
Grandad was 32 at the time, and when the British Army liberated Ghent in Belgium he met an 18 year old Belgian lady, married her (!!!) and when the war ended brought her back to England - they lived in Sidcup, he had another 3 children with her, and they were together until he passed away in 1977
He was a real character, and spent most of his spare time in Sidcup Working Men’s Club drinking - I loved being with him - had a devil may care attitude to life, probably due to the war, which he never talked about (although my Dad told me that his Dad had told him that the things he saw, especially D Day, no person should have to see)
My Dad joined the REME as a National Serviceman in 1957, and was a soldier (full time, then TA) until 1993
This is Grandad with a WW1 German helmet on - he also had a Luger and a Hitler Youth knife - no idea what happened to them
RIP to ALL the fallen hero's, may your God go with you. Xx
His wife - and I didn't find this out until her funeral a few years ago - had been married before to a Spitfire pilot that had died during the Battle of Britain. It is difficult to imagine what people went through in those awful times.
He looks in worse shape than half the veterans there
JFK used to wear a back brace to get about day to day.
Heaven knows what machinery they are using to get Biden up and about!
He is literally the last man standing from 48 Royal Marine Commando. 48 Commando joined the Canadians on Juno beach, just a few days after his 20th birthday.