Page 17 - QARANC Vol 15 No 1 2017

THE GAZETTE QARANC 15
Defence Medical Group (North)
D-Day Landings with D-Day Revisited and the Normandy Veterans 2–9 June 2016
This year members of Defence Medical Group North had the amazing opportunity to accompany the D-Day Revisited charity and take D-Day veterans to Normandy. This was organised by Cpl Blakemore; Capt Krause, Cpl Dyson, Cpl Gibson, Pte Saru and I set off early morning of 2 June for a long trip down to Portsmouth picking up veterans on the way.
We arrived at Southwick Park, Portsmouth in the early evening to be told that we had 10 minutes to change into our No2s in order to receive HRH Prince Harry who was conducting a surprise visit to meet everyone before we embarked on our tour. Cpl Blakemore had to change in the Combi Van he was driving as the turnaround was that quick. Following a quick Royal reception, we were invited to dine in the D-Day Memorial Hall where there was the original map and plan of D-Day on the wall; this was also our first opportunity to meet and chat to the veterans. This is also the first time we knew what we were in for as a veteran (after a lot to drink) fell off his chair.
The following morning we explored Portsmouth Docks with the veterans. This was their 1944 embarkation point so it was only right we started ours from here too. It was going to be a long journey to Normandy; however, during the crossing, we had the first of many parades; there was the remembrance at sea to which a Royal Navy veteran laid a wreath for all that were lost at sea and in the crossing to the beaches.
Our first morning in Normandy was spent at Juno beach. We had with us some of the veterans that had jumped and landed on the beach on D-Day so emotions were running high. We had a wander along the beach, heard stories and finished off with a service to remember the fallen. It was here it became apparent that this isn’t just stories for our veterans and for us to enjoy; it is a part of their lives and I was very
D-Day Veterans Last Post. L to R: Capt Krause, Cpl Blakemore, Cpl Gibson, Pte Saru, Pte Middlemore, Cpl Dyson
L to R: Cpl Dyson, Pte Saru, Capt Krause, Cpl Blakemore, Cpl Gibson, Pte Middlemore. To the front is Vera Hay,
a QAIMNS veteran from Normandy Beaches.
honoured to be able to share their revisit to Normandy.
In Normandy, the veterans are treated like celebrities and rightly so and restaurants are desperate to have them eat there. We were spoilt for choice; every night was somewhere different but the highlight was sitting among the veterans at the end of the day giving us a chance to reflect on the day and
hear their stories.
5 June was a busy day. Firstly, we went to Pegasus Bridge,
which was packed; however, the red carpet was rolled out for our veterans and they were welcomed like the heroes they are. A lot of the current serving Para Regts were there and as one generation met the other it was amazing to see how the ethos hadn’t changed since that day in 1944. We stayed for a very busy but very moving service at Pegasus Bridge before we ventured on. Later that day we met American veterans who had a BBQ and party awaiting our British veterans. The America Army Parachute Team put a display on for us, which was amazing, and Field Marshal Montgomery’s grandson even came to visit. Also on display was the real Freedom Bell brought from Washington DC for the veterans to ring, which we all did. When can you say you have rung the famous bell?
D-Day itself was my favourite day of the whole week. We went to a beautiful service with our veterans where members of DMG(N) also got to pay our respects in our No2s. A band was playing, veterans from all over the world came, and the veterans that liberated France had the treatment they deserve. Later on that day was the Liberation Festival where all the schoolchildren got the day off school. All the locals come to thank the veterans for the liberation of France and shops gave out tokens to the veterans so they can shop for free wherever they like. The streets were crowded and there was so much cheer and celebration going on that it got a bit overwhelming. I felt so proud to be a British Servicewoman and to have met the wonderful people who had liberated France. Our veterans walked through the town centre and were welcomed like heroes and celebrities and I was so honoured to walk with them.
Throughout the week I and the others from DMG(N) spoke to the veterans. They laughed and they cried but soon these men and women will not be around to tell the stories of what they did to secure our future. I hope that the memories continue long after they are gone and I am honoured to have been a part of this event and so was everyone else.
“Lest we Forget”
Pte Katie Middlemore QARANC