Page 204 - Bugle Autumn 2014

The Mayor of Audrieu and Major (Retd) Chris Lawton unveil the DLI plaque before the dedication by Padre Kenneth Crawford
After a few more battles were expertly described and visited it was time to return to Audrieu to unveil and dedicate one more plaque to two members of 6 DLI who were murdered on 8 June 44 by the German SS. (See separate article by Grenville Holland). After this very moving ceremony officiated over by the Mayor of Audrieu and a Dedication Service by the DLI Association Padre Kenneth Crawford, the party had only time to attend a quick service, this time with the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry who had supported The DLI
in June 1944 in Saint-Pierre followed by and even quicker one just along the road towards Tilly sur Seuelles. After making
a Presentation to the Mayor of Tilly and offering their apologies for not being able to attend the vin d’honneur which had been arranged, it was a speedy journey back to Lisieux, a quick shower and brush up in time to attend a Battlefield Tour Dinner in a very nice restaurant organised by the hotel manager. A lovely evening was had by all.
Sons and daughters of The DLI walk on Gold Beach where their fathers walked 06 June 1944
The 8th of June saw the party leave
the hotel at 0800 hrs and a return journey back to Calais. After an hour in the “Duty Free” it was on board the ferry for a 1320 hr departure which got the party back into Dover for 1500 hrs. After a few tearful farewells to those who were leaving their friends and making their own way home
it was the journey back North in reverse order, dropping a few people off en route
with the majority staying on the coach back to Durham. The Durham’s were delivered safely back to their cars in the car park of The (TA) Gilesgate Armoury. After off loading the duty free cases of wine and recovering suitcases, everyone made their way home. It was now almost midnight and everyone was tired but very happy.