NORMANDY 4th – 8th JUNE 2017
SUNDAY 4Th
0900 Saw a convoy of around thirty London Taxi’s with some Second world war veterans and their carers leave The Union Jack Club in Waterloo. Led by the convoy masters Nissan car, they made their way to Horse Guards Parade for a photo shoot, before making their down to Portsmouth for the ferry to Caen. The rest of the ninety cabs picked their veterans up from home or from the Holiday Express Inn Portsmouth who put on refreshments for the party and where they met up with the Medical Team. At 1300 we were joined by the Mayor of Portsmouth who wished us well before we set sail for thefive hour crossing to Normandy. As we sailed into Ouistreham there was awreath laying service at the rear of the ferry. Arriving at the hotel late onthe Sunday night we settled everybody into their rooms for a good night’s sleep.
MONDAY 5th
After a heartybreakfast it was time to get back in the cabs and head for the Pegasus bridge area of Benouville for a visit to the museum and a service. Lunch was provided at Ranville community hall with the local Mayor and school children present, and a visit to the nearby CWGC for a service.
TUESDAY 6th
Some veterans went to Bayeux Cathedral while some went back to Ranville for the airborne service. The remainder of the party went to Bayeux CWGC for The Royal British Legion Service. The group joined up again at the La Joie Saint Benoit Convent whereMr Nigel Farage joined us for lunch followed by entertainment. On the way back to the Hotel the convoy stopped off at Caen Town Hall for a civic reception givenbe the Mayors of Caen and Portsmouth.
WEDNESDAY 7th
The day was spent at the Merville Battery where we joined in the Commando Service. Lunch was served with entertainment by the D-Day Darling’s. The arranged parachute drop by the Red Devils wascancelled due to high winds. The evening was spent in the hotel with a gala dinner with entertainment by the Dutch Band of Brothers.
THURSDAY 8th
The morning was spent at the impressive Cane Memorial Museum where lunch was taken before a visit to Sword Beach in the presence of the Mayor of Ouistreham. It was then back to the ferry for the journey home with everybody safe and well.
