D Day remembrance

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s blog that Steve and I went on a Segway experience. You may have gathered that by the photo. Despite how it looks they are actually quite stable.

The 18th August is a significant day for the family for my uncle William Wallace ( no not Braveheart) was killed this day 1944 whilst serving aboard HMS Fratton during the Normandy invasion.  It being the actual anniversary and the fact we weren’t that far away we decided to visit the CWGC cemetery at Ryes where his late daughter nominated a grave to an unknown sailor as being his as he has no known grave. We also decided to see the D-Day memorial that bears his name as it was close by. 

We arrived at Ryes and found the nominated grave, William, our grandson placed a poppy post on the grave and we placed a wreath. We then moved onto the D-Day memorial. It’s a magnificent structure. We found his name and that of his shipmates that died with him and placed a cross of poppies there. After much photo taking we moved on to the actual Gold beach and saw the remnants of the Mulberry harbours. 

Then due to our family’s Canadian link we moved up the coast to Juno beach and visited the exhibition there. 

Whilst the day had a specific and serious purpose it was nonetheless enjoyable. 

We left the coast and drove back inland for our  final night at Center Parcs.

Ryes CWGC 

Ryes CWGC

D-Day memorial 

William Wallace’s Name

Juno Beach memorial 

Also take a look at this link.

https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/roll-of-honour/search-detail/?first_name=&initials=&surname=Wallace&death_date_day=18&death_date_month=8&nmt_force=1&regiment=&unit=&sort=0&search_within=0&search=Search&nmtid=29153&t=b