D-Day 82

My thoughts are brought today, back to those men of the 1st Battalion who 82 years ago, landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

I feel quite melancholic when I see that none of those seen here are with us now. One feels the passing of time more with each anniversary that passes, knowing that those days, and those men have gone forever. I feel pleased that I asked them what I could, when I could, but there is so much more I should have asked them, but sadly, you can’t go back.

This photo taken in 1994, shows just a few of fifty-nine Suffolk veterans, their wives and two widows, who made the pilgrimage to Normandy to attend the ceremony at ‘Hillman’ to see the unveiling of a plaque to the gallantry of Private ‘Tich’ Hunter who won the DCM for actions on D-Day.

I was there, aged fourteen and not really taking much in. It was only later that I appreciated the privilege of have been in the company of these fantastic old warriors, and the mark they left was profound, inspiring me to learn more about them and their regiment, and ultimately write a book about their service.

Seen here is Ronnie Willis, Ken Powter, Don Ellis, ‘Swipes’ Newman, unknown, George Rayson, Fred Chumbley, Cecil Deller, Frank Varley, Les Perry and Eddie Byatt. Within this small group was every conceivable type of soldier that was thrown into the melting pot of the Second World War. Ronnie and Swipes were regular soldiers, Frank was a territorial, Cecil and Les were conscripts and Eddie was a Militiaman. Every conceivable type of service was seen by these men. Some ended their fighting war wounded, others would go all the way through without a scratch and onto service on Palestine. Some were plodders, dependable and strong, other were gallant; Don Ellis would win the Military Medal. They came from every corner of the country. From Dorset to Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire to Surrey, but the majority still lived in or close to Suffolk and were still attendees of their local branches of the Old Comrades Association; George was a regular of the Bury St Edmund’s branch.

I would like to find the identity of the man fifth left whose name has eluded me for thirty years. I have the attendees list for the 1994 pilgrimage so if anyone recognises him, please do get in contact. A name to a face after all these years would be greatly appreciated.

Remember these wonderful old warriors and raise a glass today in their memory, and also to the 215 of their comrades who never made it home.

‘Stabilis’