Our D Day Pilgrimage Highlights

We're almost a week away from the D Day commemorations in Normandy, and it felt like a good time to flag up a few highlights and put the blog to rest for now. There were so many special moments, so I'll mainly focus on the five who paid homage in Hermanville, and the very special two veterans who especially inspired our trip and made it so rewarding.
I don't think Eddie had ever been so photographed in his entire life. Aged just eighteen, which seems so young to be sailing away to battle, but that's how old he was when HMS Mourne left Liverpool in the spring of 1944. His ship was torpedoed on June 15th, and he never saw his oppo that was standing next to him at that moment ever again. I loved the way people came forward to ask questions, and take his photograph. This is Matt Cardy taking down notes, after photographing him for Getty Images.

And I think these were local amateur enthusiasts, keen to find out more.

George was our ambassador. As chair of the Newport Branch of the RNA, he was well used to answering questions and making connections.

And he showed himself to be an avid photographer. As did Mike.

It was also quite an emotional time for John, as he understood more about what his father must have gone through when he was part of the Third Division's landing on Hermanville beach.

 

And of course, he did us so proud as our standard bearer.

And here they all are in Bayeux, with Mike especially shining.

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them