John Twigger Jnr sent photos and details of a recent trip when he accompanied his veteran soldier father to Normandy. They left Newton Aycliffe by taxi to board the London Train for Kings Cross, arriving early afternoon journeying on to Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington. There they met up with the British Legion Guide and another twelve Veterans taking the trip organised by the British Legion and paid for by the UK Government, using the Libor Grant. (This was money the Government had fined banks in the miss-selling scandal).
John writes: “On Sunday 8th May we boarded the coach bound for Novotel in Caen not far from the main D-Day landing beaches. We arrived early evening for a meal, served with wine, courtesy of the tour.
On Monday 9th May we headed to Ranville CWGC Cemetery which was very emotional due to the ages of the young men who sadly lost their lives (one was aged 16 .
We then visited Pegasus Bridge, the scene a lot of fighting in 1944. Coffee was served at Cafe Gondree, situated on one side of the bridge, and still run by the Granddaughter of the original owner.
One of the Veterans recalled visiting the café in a tank and being offered a glass of Calvados (Apple Brandy) staying for another before moving up north to continue his war. After visiting Sword Beach where a lot of our lads lost their lives, we stopped at Juno Beach where there was a lot of fighting.
During our visit I arranged for my Dad to have his Legion d’Honneur presented by the Mayor of Arromanches. The Town Clerk also kindly organised another three veterans to receive their medals at the same time.
Everyone was treated royally by the people of Arromanches while walking up to the town hall, with cheering and clapping from both young and old for all the Veterans.
A few Americans came up to them and thanked them for their service. Next day we called at the 13/18th Hussars Memorial and the American Cemetery where over 9000 soldiers lie in their final resting place. The trip ended at the British Cemetery at Bayeux where the veterans held a Service of Remembrance and my Dad laid the wreath for all fallen soldiers.
