On the morning of Tuesday, 6th June 2000, after over four years hard work “the original vision of Maurice Hillebrandt, with the support of Lt Cdr Jim Brend MBE RN (Ret), became a reality” to quote the Chaplain of the fleet. Words cannot adequately describe the wonderful pageantry of the Service of Unveiling and Dedication of the Memorial to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines crews, especially those who gave their lives or were wounded, of over 4,000 landing vessels, which transported the allied soldiers and their equipment to the Normandy beaches.
On the day of the ceremony, the sun shone brightly and what a grand spectacle it was! A square 40 – 50 metres across, facing the entrance to the Gare Maritime of the Brittany Ferries, was formed on one side by the British and French Guards of Honour, the British Guard being made up of sailors from HMS Exeter which was alongside just a short distance away. At the end of this line was the French Military Band. On the opposite side, were seated high ranking British and French service personnel and officials and seating for wreath layers. At the head of these two lines was the memorial, behind which was a glorious array of colourful Standards; at the base line were assembled the Veterans Guard of Honour, HM Band of the Royal Marines and seating for spectators.
Capitaine Jean-François Richomme presented me with a World War II British army helmet which had been discovered recently on the beach at Langrune-sur-Mer at the western end of Sword Beach.
There was an ornamental tented pavilion for HRH Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, his aides and certain dignitaries. Seated amongst the designated wreath layers, I found myself between the Major General Rob Fulton, Commandant General Royal Marines and Mike Cresswell, the then Vice-President of the LST & Landing Craft Association. We would follow Prince Philip and the French Prefect in laying their wreaths at the base of the memorial following the two minutes silence just after Reveillé. On the side facing the memorial was the Veterans Guard of Honour, comprising twelve members of the LST & Landing Craft Association, the Band of the Royal Marines, seating for veterans representing Landing Vessels crews, Normandy Vets, No’s 4 and 10 Commandos and others, the press and a TV rostrum.
At 1030 hours the preliminaries to the main ceremony started with the Honour Guards, with Bands in front, formed up and marched onto the memorial site; about 20 Standard bearers then marched in and took up their position behind the memorial which was swathed in navy blue sheeting with a White Ensign superimposed prior to its unveiling. The Veteran Guard then followed and the Guard Commanders inspected all. During this, the French Band entertained the spectators.
At about 1050 hours Prince Philip’s helicopter flew overhead and on his arrival at the memorial site, the Bands played the British and French National Anthems whilst the Honour Guards were at the Present Arms. Prince Philip and the French Minister then inspected the three Honour Guards following which the ceremony proper commenced with the Chaplain of the Fleet, the Venerable Simon J Golding QHC RN taking the dais and starting with a Welcome and Introduction.
The Bidding Prayer was said, after which all joined in with the Lord’s Prayer and hymn, “Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us”. Prince Philip then read The Lesson: St Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians Chapter 4, versus 2-12, followed by The Address by the Chaplain of the Fleet.
Then came the Unveiling of the Memorial by Prince Philip. He pulled on a tasselled cord releasing the blue sheeting and White Ensign to reveal the huge 7’6” x 5’6” x 12” block of granite weighing 6 ½ tons. The memorial showed raised representations of a large kedge anchor, flanked by dual inscriptions in English and French and surmounted with the Combined Operations badge. These representations are in black polished granite with the lettering of the inscriptions in gold; the background stone being roughly cut and unpolished, is a much lighter grey and forms a good contrast to the polished black. There is a wide paved area with granite sets giving an impressive approach to the memorial.
The Chaplain of the Fleet then proceeded to Dedicate the memorial; there was a final Act of Remembrance including the sounding of the Last Post, a two minutes silence and the sounding of Reveillé; a poignant and most moving moment. The official wreaths were then ceremoniously laid, the Chaplain of the Fleet gave the Blessing and the last verse of the Naval Hymn was sung as a doxology: “Eternal Father Strong to Save”. On completion of the Service, members in attendance dispersed or added their tributes to the wreaths already laid whilst certain VIPs and selected Veterans made their way to a Reception where they (including Jim Brend, Mike Cresswell and myself, with our wives) had the privilege of meeting and speaking with Prince Philip. This group then made their way to a Luncheon attended by Prince Philip and about an additional 300 French persons, mainly dignitaries and French Veterans, provided by the Comité du Debarquemant and the Municipality of Ouistreham. And what a sumptuous meal this was: four courses with a different wine at each, coffee and champagne. After toasts to The Queen and the President de la Republique Française, Prince Philip departed for the flight back to England.
Words cannot adequately describe the majesty and grandeur of the occasion. The crowd numbering upwards of 1,000, the vastness of the arena around which we all stood or sat, the presence HRH Prince Philip and the thrill of speaking with him, the destroyer HMS Exeter alongside with her sailors forming one of the three Guards of Honour, two great Military Bands, Serviceman and Veterans from at least three nations and THE MEMORIAL itself. It was overwhelming.
One sad note was Jim’s confinement to a wheelchair due to lack of the use of his legs resulting from illness; this prevented him from laying the wreath on behalf of the Association but in his absence the Vice-President, Mike Cresswell did the honours. My wreath was laid on behalf of the Normandy RN/RM Trust.
This was indeed a day to be remembered by Jim and me as Trustees of the Memorial Fund, by Mike and many members of the Association present and by many others.
©2007 Maurice Hillebrandt