Visit to Normandy 7-9 May 2010.
On the 7th of May, seven members of the branch went on a battlefields tour
of the D-day landings in Normandy, the seven members were :-John Higgs, Colin Maddox,
John Underwood, Arthur Sibley, Peter Pike, Terry Speake and George Brown.
We arrived at CTCRM at 16:00 and went to the Seargent`s mess where we joined
the rest of the tour members apx 30 in number, we where pleased to have with us the
RMA Chief Executive Brigadier Charlie Hobson RM and Captain Michael Clapp RN (Commodore
Amphibious Warfare during operation Corporate), a few wets and we where off to pompey
to catch Brittany Ferries mv Mont St Michel.
On disembarkation it was a short drive to the UK and Commonwealth cemetery
at Bayeux where John Underwood and a representative from the RBL laid wreaths and
a two minutes silence was held. Then a quick stop at the German cemetery at La Cambe
before moving off to Sainte-Mère-Église where the famous incident involving paratrooper
John Steele of the 505th PIR, whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church.
We stopped here for lunch and a visit to the Airborne Museum. We then moved to the
“musée débarquement marine” near La Madeleine on Utah beach where there are several
monuments to the US forces. Back on the coach for a short drive to Mulberry "A" near
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer on Omaha beach and then to the American Cemetery and Memorial
at Colleville-sur-Mer. We then headed for our accommodation at Château du Perron
near Périers, Manche. The Château is situated within a delightfully secluded and
beautiful 38 hectare park, overlooking a one-hectare lake, and is surrounded by century
old trees and woodland. Château du Perron was built in 1860 on the site of the original
château constructed for Archbishop Jacques Davy du Perron and his successors. The
evening meal consisted of four courses with roast lamb as the main course, with red
and white wine kindly donated by the RSM of 42cdo RM (thank you very much sir) and
Port by the Coach Driver and Martyn, again thank you very much. Then a few more wets
in the bar just to make sure we all had a good nights sleep !!
We were all up bright and early the next morning, breakfast at 07:00 and on
the coach by 08:00 but not before the obligatory group photo on the steps of the
château. First port of call was Port-en-Bessin (no pun intended) which is remembered
in the Corps by the achievements of 47cdo RM, the unit came ashore on Gold beach
east of La Hamel. Their task was to proceed inland then turn right (west) and make
a 10 mile yomp through enemy territory to attack the coastal harbour of Port-en-Bessin
from the rear. This small port, on the British extreme right, was well sheltered
in the chalk cliffs and significant in that it was to be a prime early harbour for
supplies to be brought ashore, including fuel by underwater pipe from tankers moored
offshore. We had our own little yomp up the Rue de Phare which warmed us up from
the “cheeky” north easterly wind that had everybody wrapped up well, but it was worth
the trek, with a good view over the harbour. On returning to the port we had a pigeon
race (gen !!) Our guide “smiley”, a keen pigeon racer, brought six of his pigeons
along. We split up into six groups and wrote a code onto a bit of paper and attached
it to the pigeons leg then set them free to see which one would get home first, about
an hours flight for them, a team of predominately matelots won. Next a 15 minute
drive to “Batterie de Longues-sur-Mer”. The Batterie de Longues-sur-Mer was constructed
by the Wehrmacht near the French village of Longues-sur-Mer. It formed a part of
Germany's Atlantic wall coastal fortifications. The battery was completed in April
1944. Although constructed and manned initially by the kriegsmarine, the battery
was later transferred to the German army. The site consisted of four 152-mm navy
guns, each protected by a large concrete casemate, a command post, shelters for personnel
and ammunition, and several defensive machine-gun emplacements. Next on to Arromanches
where Mulberry "B" was the harbour assembled on Gold beach for use by the British
and Canadian invasion forces, here we visited the “Cinema Circulaire Arromanches
360º” and watched the film “Le prix de la liberté”, well worth a visit if you are
in the area. Our last stop of the tour was Pegasus bridge where men of the Oxfordshire
and Buckinghamshire regiment using Horsa gliders took the bridge, not the parachute
regiment as is commonly thought. On the opposite bank of the river is a Centaur tank
of the Royal Marines Armoured Support Regiment.
It was then back onto the coach for the short drive to Ouistreham to catch
the ferry back to the UK. The evening meal and a short nap passed the time for some
before the dreaded waiting to get through border control and then the drive back
to CTCRM.
Our thanks go out to Martyn Heenan captain RM for organizing the trip and
to his two assistants Chris and Paul, and “Smiley” the guide for making the tour
entertaining as well as informative.
Visit to National Arboretum at Alrewas 29-30 May 2010
On Saturday 29th May The Branch Secretary, John Higgs drove Arthur Sibley and yours
truly on a two day trip to Alrewas. We were attending the Parade and Service at the
Royal Marine Memorial Stone at the National Arboretum. This was held the next day
Sunday 30th May. We had a uneventful journey to our B/B Guest House in the pretty
village of Harlaston where once again our hostess made us very welcome. The evening
saw us walk down in the pouring rain to the local Hostelry where the meal was up
to expectations. Not being as young as me I took the others back to their grots for
early lights out in preparation for the long day ahead. After breakfast suitably
booted and spurred we say farewell to our hostess and proceeded to the Arboretum
arriving in good time to seek out old friends and comrades, visit the National Monument
see the new Basra Wall Monument and other Regimental Monuments. It was then time
to fall in for the march and service at the the Memorial Stone in the presence of
the Deputy Commandant General, Brigadier P R Denning OBE ADC. The Act of Remembrance
and march past followed. I also paid my respects at the Korean Monument, something
that I always do. We made our farewells and put our trust in John's driving and returned
home. It was certainly a very worthwhile visit and the date for your diaries, next
years Memorial Parade is on Sunday 29t May 2011.
John Underwood
