The Chairman, Trustees, veterans and families of the Spirit of Normandy Trust are greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to her family at this sad time of loss.
This year there will also be a new question asking if people have previously served in the Armed Forces. Too often, ex-military personnel and their families are a hidden population in society and in some instances are disadvantaged due to their circumstances (e.g. Veterans having health conditions that are a result from their service where additional support could be available).
My heart misses thee,
My beloved Land of Hope and Glory.
Thinking of the glorious days
Of Europe invasion,
I see in my dreams
Your airfields
Where the US boys practiced
Day after day
For jumps from gliders;
Their mission:
Preventing German reinforcements
From reaching the coast
And cutting the road to Cherbourg …
I am also dreaming of the powerful Armada
Ready to cross the Channel,
Carrying tanks, fuel, supplies
And vomiting thousands of Soldiers
From all over the world
Who would die in Normandy
At the dawn of the Longest Day
While screaming ‘Liberty for ever’.
Through my tears I see
Southwick House
And I hear the complaints
Of Those who made the hard decision
To go in spite of poor weather conditions.
Your hope is also in field hospitals
Which would save so many lives
Wounded by the infamous enemy artillery.
Amidst the noise of the battle
Was raised the voice of the Sweetheart of the Forces
Promising to meet again
Some sunny day … perhaps in Berlin
In ruins and defeated!
O thee, my Land of Hope and Glory,
When will I be allowed
To fly over the rainbow,
To take you in my arms
And dress your wounds?
I am looking forward to honouring
Your brave Soldiers
And doing my Duty of Remembrance
To the Fallen.
O, my dear Land of Hope and Glory.
Written on 10/03/21 Mireille Picron a friend of the Veterans and of The Spirit of Normandy Trust whose written language is usually in French
To anyone who may wish to be virtually at John Sleeps funeral we include a link which will allow you to connect in. It’s on 22 March at 1pm. He will truly be missed.
The article below is from The Jewish Chronicle. Mervyn Kersh describes his experiences serving as a solider in the British Army, from Normandy to the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. Click the link below to view the article.