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September 16
Prepared by James Stoness with
the Bronze Plaque Tour in Bayeux
Today, members and families of the SAR (South Alberta Armoured
Regiment) placed a series of wreaths at memorials across Normandy
from Caen to St. Lambert-Sur-Dives. At each memorial the local
mayor and other dignitaries along with grateful citizens came
out to welcome the SAR veterans .
In
St. Lambert-Sur-Dives their wreath was placed beside an earlier
bronze plaque commemorating the site of Major Currie's stand
in the midst of thousands of fleeing Germans along with their
equipment. For his action here Major Currie was awarded the
only Victoria Cross achieved by any Canadian armoured group.
Here, in the quiet town and pastoral countryside, it is difficult
to visualize the destruction and pandemonium which now exists
only in the memories of veterans and in old photographs.
At a short ceremony, Certificates of Honour were presented to
the veterans. A Certificate of Honour for the late Lt. Col.
Gordon (Swatty) Wotherspoon was presented to his son, Richard
Wotherspoon.
The day finished with a reception for the mayors and their wives
as well as Dr. Jean Pierre Benamou and his wife. Dr. Benamou,
founder and curator of the WarMuseum at Bayeux, drew upon his
wide store of knowledge to provide a commentary on the action
in the battlefields viewed during the day's tour. |
