I just wondered what anyone was planning to do for the Anniversary? I'll be Tweeting the story of Lieutenant William 'Bill' Pritchard, from Llandaff, Cardiff, over the next 8 days and hopefully will try and get my mitts on a wreath to lay at Llandaff Cathedral's War Memorial. https://twitter.com/#!/ReassessHistory Any idea of any television coverage/documentaries on this year?
I believe, and as you can imagine, there is a commemoration at St Nazaire. Major General Corran Purdon, who was captured and later got himself into Colditz will be there. If you've ever met Major General Purdon, you'll know the amazing vitality of the man - I suspect that in March 1942 he wasn't someone to cross. I shall be thinking of all these brave men next week. If someone isn't filming / properly documenting the event in France, I would be very surprised.
Have just read Commando to Colditz by Peter Stanley featuring Micky Burns and the correspondence his parents had with the men and next of kin of those in Six Troop 2 Commando. A fascinating read and heartbreaking to read of the agonies of the families as they struggled with so little information for so long.
For those unable to travel to St Nazaire, I have arranged a wreath laying in Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff on 10.30am on the 28th March (Wednesday). To commemorate the Raid, and more specifically the Welsh soldiers killed during the Raid. They also trained locally for the raid at Barry docks. All are warmly invited to attend.
No worries mate, my first time on the radio. Also... a bit in Welsh... (Google translate may help with this!)
Great bit of film with Purdon on here. scroll down page a bit BBC News - St Nazaire raid: Remembering the anti-Tirpitz operation Former commando Corran Purdon: 'We had no time to feel scared'
BBC iPlayer - The Radio Wales Phone-In: 28/03/2012 You can hear some of the Wreath Laying in Llandaff at 1.07ish I think the coverage was pretty good, just a pity the BBC didn't put out a new programme on the raid or repeat of Clarkson's docu.
BBC iPlayer - The Radio Wales Phone-In: 28/03/2012 I think the coverage was pretty good, just a pity the BBC didn't put out a new programme on the raid or repeat of Clarkson's docu. I got back from France yesterday. I take it there was no television coverage of the ceremony? A crew from the BBC followed Purdon around Escoublac-La-Baule cemetery where a short remembrance ceremony was held on the 27th and were also present for the ceremony itself the following day. I have a few photos but I'll have to resize them etc. first before I can post them. Keith
Here are a few photos of the ceremony in St Nazaire. The first photo shows one of the veterans before the ceremony began. The person wearing the medals who is obscured is Corran Purdon. I was standing right next to the French band so it was a tad noisy but I did get a good view. Keith
Wreaths were laid by the veterans, Corran Purdon, Bob Montgomery and the chap in the above post. Following that, wreaths were laid by the military representatives including one from the German representative. Keith
The ceremony concluded with speeches from the Mayor of St Nazaire and the British Military Attache. It was a very nice ceremony and quite moving to see these frail men who had once accomplished such a heroic deed. I also have some photos around the dock if anyone wants to see them. Keith
The 75th anniversary of the St Nazaire raid is to be marked this Sunday in Falmouth. There will be a wreath laying ceremony and service at the memorial before a parade through the town. Details have been given in the local press: Falmouth to host St Nazaire commemorationsFalmouth to host St Nazaire commemorations
A local press report on what happened in Falmouth on Sunday: Falmouth comes together to mark 75th anniversary of St Nazaire
Many brave acts performed on that mission. Bluffing there way so far up the estuary was inspirational. I think most thought it to be a one way trip, especially when they learned the fate of most of the small craft that was to be their transport back. Respect for all those who took part in the raid. Regards Tom