78 years after the D Day Landings.

[Administrator]

Royal British Legion - Paris France.

This evening we are in Bayeux Cathedral, Normandy, on the eve of the 6th June, D Day, 78 years after the D Day Landings.



We remember all those who died and were injured in the D Day Landings, 6th June 1944. May They Rest In Peace.

[Administrator]

'This has done them proud'

LINK

[Administrator]

Messaged by Caoline Clopet last night.

Keith, Hello. I have just returned to Paris after representing the Merchant Navy in Normandy for D Day. I was standing in the British Cemetery in Bayeux just before the Ceremony, when all of a sudden 3/4 MN Captains came rushing up with 2 Standard Bearers, and the President from the MN Association. I got a surprise, because they said "Here SHE is, we've found her!" Apparently Malcolm Mathison had given them the mission to come to the D Day Ceremony to find me, and bring me into the fold. We outnumbered the Royal Navy..!

In the afternoon we were all in Arromanches on the top of the cliff, standing to attention, with the Standards flying, when the French equivalent of the Red Devils came flying over us several times. Your colleagues from the MN were SO pleased.

I am so pleased that our initial contact has proved very fruitful. Your own activity keeps astounding me and am just so pleased to have done a little. Will reply better in the morning. Take care and God Bless. K. XX

[Administrator]

The Merchant Navy was there in Arromanches in force this year... outnumbered the Royal Navy and other Services..

Caroline Clopet




78th anniversary of the D-Day landings: Arromanches paid tribute to the liberators.

Several ceremonies followed one another on Monday, June 6, 2022 in Arromanches (Calvados). The 4 p.m. ceremony paid tribute to British veterans, in the presence of several of them.

After the day of festivities on Saturday, June 4, 2022 with concerts, then the 9th Arromanches D-Day Cross triathlon, the presentation of vintage vehicles and the fireworks on Sunday, the day of Monday, June 6, 2022 was marked in Arromanches (Calvados) by several ceremonies, all accessible without invitation. The mass celebrated at the church of Arromanches at 10 a.m. was followed an hour later, at the orientation table, by a commemorative ceremony to the Dutch troops.

Tribute to British troops at the Garden of Remembrance.

At 4 p.m., the ceremony in honour of the British troops enjoyed a radiant sun. After speeches, songs, prayers, wreath laying and hymns, it ended in style with the France Patrol flying over the Gold Beach sector. Several veterans, applauded at the ceremony, were then greeted by members of the public and solicited for photographs and signatures.

"Everyone remembers the precise moment when they saw the arrival of the first Englishman, an event that is kept forever anchored in the memory as it is synonymous with freedom and so much freedom had so much price in these tragic hours," said Marcel Bastide, mayor of Arromanches, during his speech.

"At the end of this historic day of June 6, in the houses, we drink, with friends, to the freedom regained. Veterans of this formidable military operation that was the D-Day landings, Arromanches will never forget you. »

Marcel Bastide
Mayor of Arromanches-les-Bains


"A duty of hope"

Questioned at the end of the ceremony, the mayor of Arromanches retains "the same human warmth, the same enthusiasm that we have known in the very great ceremonies for forty years". He did not expect to see so many people on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Arromanches. "It's true that it's a great weekend but it makes us really happy. It puts us back on track with the great ceremonies of remembrance to remind our young people that we must now have a duty of hope.

During these three days, people of various nationalities wore period outfits. Some also traveled many kilometers to display military vehicles and thus contribute to the memory of D-Day.

The day of ceremonies in Arromanches ended with a French commemorative ceremony at the orientation table at 7 p.m.

LINK