Page 237 - Bugle Autumn 2014

the exhortation and Jack Eglinton laid
the wreath. Following the short distance
to Verson wreaths were laid at the 43rd (Wessex) Division memorial by Peter Walker and Keith Gover. The memorial stands on
a busy roundabout where a Gendarme
took control of traffic. National anthems were sung. The Somerset Light Infantry are commemorated at Mouen where a further Memorial can be found. Here friendships were renewed and
all enjoyed a ‘Vin
d’Honneur’ and
a splendid lunch.
Speeches were made
by the Mayor, Christine
Majendie and Peter
Walker who spoke in
French. Veterans were given plaques and Christine received her late husband’s. She reciprocated by presenting his medals to Mouen as well as a portrait of John by
Lady Ramsay. Finally Christine presented
a bronze of a pair of army boots with a Somerset Light Infantry beret resting on top. For this occasion both Sir Allan and Pauline
Ramsay accompanied the tour. Sir Allan served in the Somersets, the Cornwalls and Durhams before becoming a diplomat.
Evening ceremonies marking the liberation of the North Bank of the City of Caen followed. The first ceremony was held in
the square in front of the ancient L’Abbaye aux Dames, built by William I. Dignitaries from the French government, the diplomatic missions of Canada and the United
Kingdom and the City Council attended as did our Veterans and Standard Bearers.
The Medal of Caen was presented to all Veterans and members of the Resistance.
Commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade, Brigadier Piers Hankinson, and twenty serving soldiers joined us at Mouen on the next day for a ceremony of Remembrance at a new memorial site. We then travelled to Hill 112 where a ceremony took place to remember the large number of casualties of the 43rd (Wessex) Division’s costly attack.
We were also joined for the ceremony
by the Adjutant of RMA Sandhurst, three cadets and their War Studies tutor. Hill 112 is studied by cadets and for several years John Majendie listened and commented as plans were presented. At the Notre Dame primary school at the base of the Hill 112, Cadets explained how valuable it was for them to hear first-hand accounts of battles.
In conclusion a few thanks and some points we learnt:
• The gratitude of the French for those that
fought remains ever present
• The success of the Allies was built on
meticulous planning, training and logistics • The Allied deception plan in averting
attention away from Normandy worked • The Commonwealth War Graves Com- mission continues its outstanding work • The pilgrimage was well organised with
Ray Collins acting as the Duty Sergeant
overseeing a rota of Duty Corporals
• Our thanks go to Christine Majendie for her hard work in organising the trip at a
time coming to terms with her grief
Philip Walker
friendships were renewed and all enjoyed a ‘Vin d’Honneur’
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS 235