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| Your
guided tour to Ireland's Battlefields and Military Heritage |
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02 APRIL UPDATED NEWSLETTER
Normandy (report) Seminar
13/14 April Legal note to tour goers The
Messines Tour More to come
Dedication to Irish VC
NORMANDY (report)
A tour to the D Day beaches, Cemeteries (American, British and German) Museums
at the Normandy sites was conducted between 7 and 14 March. The Battle of
Normandy area was also studied. This was MHTL's first overseas trip and it
was deemed to be an outstanding success by all who took part. The photogallery
contains some pictures from the tour.
The most rewarding visits ( not in order) were:
Bayeau Museum
The Bunker at Oustreham
The guided tour with Col Chilcott
The Longue- sur-Mer Battery
The Cemeteries of all nations
The Beaches
CEREMONIAL AND NOSTALGIA
One of our group was Pte Peter McGuinness from 27 Bn. Peter's father was a
soldier in 1 Bn, The Hampshire Regiment, who landed on D Day at Gold Beach
and survived the campaign and the war. He met a Wermacht lady radio operator,
fell in love and brought her home to Ireland where they were married. A small
but poignant ceremony was held at Gold beach where a bouquet of flowers was
laid and soil from Peter's father's grave was spread on the beach. Peter collected
sand from Gold beach and in order to lay it on his father's grave in Drogheda.
Sadly, Peter's father passed away in January 2000. May he rest in peace and
with the knowledge that the heroic battles that he and his comrades fought
will never be forgotten!
TOUR REPORT CONTD>.
Serving and retired soldiers 27 Bn, 8 Bn RDF and 20 Bn RDF, Pearce association
were on tour. The group ethos kicked in quickly and a lot of fun was had by
all. We stayed in the Luxembourg Hotel in Bayeau and all went very well. Night
life was a bit restricted, in fact non-existent apart from one pub, but on
reflection maybe it was just as well, as the tour was a full and demanding
one. Anybody who felt a bit seedy would not have got as much out of the following
day as he/she would have wished.
On the final night in Bayeau we had an "end of tour" dinner and
were joined by Col and Mrs Chilcott. Col Chillcot is Royal Ordnance Corps,
British Army (Retd). He has made his home in Normandy, runs a B&B with
his wife and conducts tours. Suffice it to say, it was a memorable and most
enjoyable night. Full marks to Peter McGuinness for his professional and hilarious
entertainment.
Congratulations to Capt Tony Martin for his excellent organisation.
If the party from John Hopkins University read this letter, greetings to you.
Keep an eye out for the Dundalk Democrat, our roving reporter Joe McCabe gave
us a superb write up. Thanks Joe.
Also watch out for An Cosantóir. Cpl Paul Heavy has a first class report
on the tour. Thanks Paul
SEMINAR
The Seminar on Connaught's Military Heritage will take place 12/13 April in
the Country Life Museum, Turlough, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. this is MHTL's first
seminar and we are restricted to 50 guests. So it is a case of
"first come first served". see
programme . Best to book ahead if you are going to attend.