65th D-DAY ANNIVERSARY NORMANDY 2009
Cadets from Clwyd & Gwynedd ACF took part in Exercise SILVER CADET 2009 was a Tri-service Cadet exercise to participate in the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA) 65th anniversary parades held in Normandy over the period 05 – 06 Jun 09.
Over 600 cadets from all 3 cadet organisations were camped in Arromanches on the Normandy coast before participating in 2 days of parades and returning to the UK on the evening of 06 Jun 09.
The delegation included cadets from Colwyn Bay, Abergele, Prestatyn and Flint was lead by Lt John Baxendale and AUO Angie Jacovelli from Crécy Company supported by RSM Gary Thompson left North Wales on the 3rd June to travel to Crowborough Camp from where the main body travelled to France via the channel tunnel.
The cadet encampment at Arromanches was a sea of tents on what was normally the local football field. The camp was supported by the French Army and a superb group of TA caterers. The party participated in a parade in Colleville Montgomery before meeting veterans on the beach – a moving experience for many.
Following a visit to the Caen Museum a number of the cadets participated in the 3 Division service at the British Memorial Garden in Caen when they laid roses on behalf of the veterans at the various divisional memorials including the Welsh Division.
On Saturday 6th June hundreds of cadets participated in a large service at the Bayeux War Cemetery which was attended by HRH Prince Charles.
After the service the cadets laid wreaths on the graves of the three Royal Welsh Fusiliers buried in the cemetery and laid crosses at the memorial to the fallen with no known graves.
On the Saturday evening a number of the cadets took part in the final parade in Arromanches before returning to the UK overnight. Throughout the trip the cadets met veterans on numerous occasions and were enthralled and moved by the many stories.
The cadet movement has now picked up the baton of remembrance from the Normandy Veterans many of whom were making there final trips back to the beaches of Normandy.
More pictures in the Gallery!
Report by:
Lt John Baxendale
Crecy Company
FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE D-DAY LANDINGS - FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW:
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Day