The Royal British Legion’s commemorative event to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 11th of May 2019. There will be a tea and coffee reception for Italy Campaign veterans and invited guests beginning at 10:30 to be followed by a commemorative ceremony at 11:30. General members of the public are welcome to attend and watch the ceremony and should arrive by 11:00. Monte Cassino and the Italy Campaign This year we will be remembering the heroism, courage and collaboration of the over 200,000 Allied and Commonwealth forces, who came from all corners of the earth, to fight in the battles of Monte Cassino. Their service and sacrifice secured freedom and democracy in Italy and prevented the German Army from transferring more fighting men to France. Allied and Commonwealth troops pushed north with many predicting that Italy would prove to be the `soft underbelly’ of Axis occupied Europe and Rome would quickly be in Allied hands. Despite this the Monte Cassino campaign, from January to May 1944, was amongst the hardest-fought battles of the Second World War. Help us reach Veterans The event will be focused on veterans and it is our hope that as many of those who served in the Italy campaign will be in attendance. If you are in contact with any veterans who you think would like to attend as guests of honour, please ask them to contact the Commemorative Events team by email on commemorative.events@britishlegion.org.uk or by phone on 020 3053 7015.
Has anyone heard yet if a Royal is visiting Cassino for the 75th Anniversary commemorations? Regards Frank
And the RBL have reiterated the following point: Remembrance Travel, the travel arm of The Royal British Legion, and their travel partner, Arena Travel, have organised three Remembrance Tours commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Italy Campaign. One of these tours includes travel and accommodation to the National Memorial Arboretum for Monte Cassino 75. Under the LIBOR fines funding scheme they are free for veterans, who may be accompanied by up to two family members or carers. You can find out more on the Arena Travel website. Trips to The National Arboretum Cassino/Anzio Cassino/Salerno
Richard Just for the record, I have no intention of taking up the "free" trip to Cassino you mentioned above, simply because a: I don't feel, at my age, I could cope with it and b: I have already had generous support from the "Hero's Return" scheme for a trip to Monte Cassino BBC - WW2 People's War - Return to Cassino Best regards Ron
Ron, Thank you...yes, I can quite understand. I may be in Cassino myself at the time of the National Memorial Arboretum event on 11th May. But if I'm in the UK at the time, I'll be driving up to the Arboretum, perhaps via North London. For your information, we're currently putting the finishing touches to the Sicily film - I've re-recorded my voice part three times now - and, once we've completed the edit, I shall come up to see you at a mutually convenient time...a long overdue revisit. best wishes
It seems that the British Embassy event at Cassino CWGC Cemetery will start at 1230pm on Thursday 16th May.. Hope to see some of you there.
