47 RM Commando Association at MFM with French and Dutch Mayors
by Bob Perry

On D-Day 6 June 1944, 47 RM Commando landed on Gold Beach at Asnelles before successfully capturing Port-en-Bessin, a small Normandy fishing port which would be a vital fuel supply point for the allied armies. The Commando then fought its way northward for 200 miles in a series of battles in pursuit of a determined enemy; joining forces with the 6th Airborne Division for operations in the River Orne bridgehead area before liberating Fécamp.

The battle of Walcheren followed. As the the outcome of the many battles were still unknown and as fierce fighting raged around them, many French and Dutch civilians provided valuable assistance to the men of 47 RM Commando and took many of the wounded into their homes despite the threat of enemy reprisals.

Since the end of WW2 the inhabitants of the towns and communities freed from enemy occupation by 47 RM Commando have never forgotten the courage, determination and self sacrifice of their liberators. Every year, on their return to the battlefields, veterans, widows and their families were enthusiastically welcomed by the mayors and residents - a bond of enduring friendship which has continued to the present day.

In this 80th anniversary year of D-Day, 47 RM Commando Branch of the RMA decided to demonstrate their appreciation for that ongoing support by inviting the mayors of the towns and communities liberated by the Commando to London as our guests to thank them and the communities they represent.

Accepting our invitation was the Mayor of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Fécamp and the Mayor of Texel (who was formerly Mayor of Veere, Walcheren). Regrettably the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Asnelles were unable to be with us on this occasion.

After settling into their hotel in South Kensington, the mayors and their partners were welcomed by branch members at the Hereford Arms, a traditional London pub for an informal evening of renewing acquaintances, dining and beer drinking!Early the following morning several of our guests accepted an offer to tour Billingsgate Market, the UK’s largest inland fish market. This was particularly beneficial for the mayors whose home towns are heavily dependent on the fishing industry.

The remainder of the day was left to enjoy the sights and attractions of London before all meeting up again at the Elgar Room Brasserie at the Royal Albert Hall prior to experiencing the magnificent Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines at the Mountbatten Festival of Music.

After a thoroughly enjoyable and socially hectic weekend we bid our guests and each other farewell, safe in the knowledge that the bonds of friendship and mutual respect formed by our veterans over many years remain as strong as ever. We look forward to all meeting up again later in this momentous year in France and the Netherlands to commemorate the high achievements of 47 RM Commando and to remember the 114 members of the unit who made the supreme sacrifice in WW2.

The 47 RM Commando Branch is indebted to the small sub-committee responsible for the detailed organisation of the highly successful visit and to a most generous benefactor for funding the hotel accommodation and MFM tickets for our guests.