47 RM Commando Association Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Fecamp
by Geof Haywood BEM

The French town of Fécamp was liberated by 47 RM Commando at midday on 2 September 1944. In celebration the abbey bells, silent since June 1940, tolled ceremoniously and tricolour flags, also forbidden, were hoisted above the town hall.

Following four long years of Nazi oppression scenes of joyous jubilation greeted the men of the Commando when they entered the town centre, each one presented with a bottle of liquor produced in the local Palais Bénédictine distillery!

Our group this year included Elizabeth Walton, daughter of Major Dennis Walton MC and Robert Spencer, the son of Captain Paul Spencer DSO and many other family members of our late veterans.

Association members at the Liberation exhibition

Robert Spencer pointing at his father, Captain Paul Spencer DSO

On arrival on 1 September, we were hosted by Pierre Aubry, Deputy Mayor and retired French Army helicopter pilot, at the Maison du Patrimoine. Here, an amazing display of occupation photos of the town and of 47 RM Commando were on display.

In other areas were items from the French Resistance and in the background a specially commissioned video played including an interview with one of our late veterans, Ken Parker, remembering his arrival and numerous visits since 1944, each time being fated like a returning king!

It was then on to the Pécheries Museum where the history of the town's fishing fleet, the occupation and general history can be seen. During the day on an outdoor stage was dancing and entertainment plus a display of military vehicles along the quay. In the evening, we all met up for a social evening hosted by Mayor David Roussel and his family.

On the morning of 2 September, we were taken on a conducted tour of the German radar station bunkers situated on the highest cliffs between the D-Day landing beaches and Calais. We also visited the underground hospital whilst the less energetic were hosted in the main shopping area before meeting us back at the town hall.

The main liberation ceremonies commenced at the municipal cemetery where respect is paid at three civilian memorials: to those lost as the result of deportation to concentration camps and during enforced working parties, where young men were ordered to construct the Atlantic wall bunkers and the underground hospital, at the Belgium Corner where Allied soldiers and refugees are buried and finally, at the town memorial plaque in honour of Major Walton who is buried in the cemetery.

He sadly lost his life when the jeep he was travelling in on 4 September ran over a mine. He was buried two days later with full military honours. It was the first time that his daughter, who was six months old at the time of his death, had visited his grave and laid a wreath in memory of her gallant father. Later, two roads in the town were renamed in honour of Major Walton and 47 RM Commando.

We then joined townsfolk to walk through the town to the Place Charles de Gaulle where 80 years ago the Commando paraded and to pay respects to all the French civilians lost during the two World Wars.

Elizabeth Walton paying her respects to her father at the town's memorial plaque. Major Walton's grave is on the left.

The renaming of a street in honour of 47 RM Commando

On completion of all ceremonies, we were hosted in the town hall where the Mayor emphasised the importance of remembering the occupation, the liberation and all those who lost their lives during the conflict. Gifts were exchanged and a specially commissioned book honouring 47 RM Commando was presented to each member of our party.

At all events we were joined by Capt P J Wills RN, Naval Attaché at the UK Embassy in Paris and Lt Col Marcus Sharpe and WO1(RSM) Ollie Smith RM, both representing 47 Cdo RG RM.

During the past 80 years the people of Fécamp have never forgotten the courage, determination and self-sacrifice of their liberators. Each year on their return to the town, our veterans accompanied by families and friends were enthusiastically welcomed by dignitaries and townsfolk - a bond of enduring friendship and mutual respect that has continued to the present day.

As part of the 80th anniversary commemorations of the liberation of Fecamp, the town produced a lavishly illustrated hard covered book (the text is in French and English) featuring many photographs of 47 RM Commando in 1944.

Many of the subsequent reunions from 1947 to the present day are also covered along with a feature on Major Dennis Walton MC who was killed on 4 September 1944 when the vehicle he was travelling in ran over a mine.