Port-en-Bessin 2025
by Anne-Marie Nicholls

Bayeux CWGC Cemetery

This represented quite an historic moment for our association as even though our veterans have now all sadly passed, what they helped to achieve can still command national interest and retain the memory of their unique contribution to the end of the hostilities.

The main ceremony of remembrance later that day takes place in Bayeux War Cemetery. Phil and I arrived a little early to witness part of the local commemoration ending with a school choir singing an emotional presentation of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’; so beautiful, and a reminder that in these extremely uncertain times hope has never been more needed. The beautifully kept graves of Bayeux are a credit to those responsible for their impeccable plants and structures. Some years after the war my dad was a grave digger, and then groundsman, at local churches in Salford when I was a child. I loved it when he took me to work with him on a Saturday morning so that I could flit under the drooping willows and shady oaks. Consequently, I have always found graveyards to be tranquil places. Bayeux emits this quality like a huge cupped hand cradling the sleep of those at rest.

Around early evening time the welcome sound of Kelly’s pipes leading the 47 walkers home at the end of their trek can be heard. She leads the walkers into town and finishes outside of what has been our ’47 home’ for many years with Stéphane and Nathalie at Bar de la Criée du 47ème. At this point the walkers’ pressing requirement tends toward liquid refreshment. It would have been rude of us, after waiting for them, not to participate in recognition of their effort and wellearned thirst!

7th June Port-en-Bessin commemorations are special to the 47 RM Commando Association and begin at the Eastern feature with the Captain Terence Cousins memorial, this year attended by the niece and nephew of Terence Cousins; Essie and David. David takes this year’s prize for the most well-travelled of our group after his epic journey from New Zealand to Normandy. He was in good company this year as also in attendance, and for the first time, was Nicola Lloyd, daughter of Captain Roger Lloyd of B Troop, who had travelled from South Africa to honour her father and meet us all.

The second event on our itinerary the morning of the 7th June took place in lashings of rain on the Western feature. This year Lou, our standard bearer, had been proudly displaying our splendid new standard and that morning, in a very touching ceremony, our old, much loved standard was retired and respectfully carried away by Madame Laurence Scoupe who has previously borne the 47 standard on our behalf. The commemorations finalised at the Place Georges Seurat car park where we remember the French personnel lost in the war. At the conclusion of the ceremonies Mayor Christophe Van Roye welcomed invited dignitaries, our members and other guests to the salle des fêtes to attend presentations and enjoy the town’s hospitality.

Nicola Lloyd pointing to a photo of her father

Paddy O’Connell presenting the welly boot planter!

47 RM Commando Association was delighted to present a donation to the town’s lifeboat station, ‘Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer’ in the form of a cheque representing the total cost of clothing and equipment of a rescuer and also a bright yellow, ornamental RNLI welly boot planter! The sentiment behind these donations being to continue the strong ties between Port-en-Bessin and our association where we have always been made so welcome.

The 8th of June is a day for the association AGM which was well attended and contributed to this year. We were kindly given the use of the salle des fêtes for this to take place.

Our final event is the much anticipated last night supper arranged by Geof with Stéphane and Natalie at the Bar de la Criée du 47ème. Every year Stéphane and Nathalie manage to cater to our increasingly well attended special meal. Now, I am not saying that you have to be particularly well connected to attend this ‘invitation only’ event but ...well...YOU might well say that, I couldn’t possibly comment! We comprise a loud, happy and largely inebriated group of diners including the RMA and the RMA Bikers