ÿþ<html> <head> <LINK REL="SHORTCUT ICON" HREF="http://www.siegee.co.uk/parr/pegasus.ico"> <META NAME="description" CONTENT="Pegasus Parr - dedicated to the memory of Wally Parr" <META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="pegasus, parr, d day"> <title>Pegasus Parr - dedicated to the memory of Wally Parr</title> <link rel=stylesheet href="parr.css"> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> <!-- function openWin(URL) { aWindow=window.open(URL, "thewindow", "toolbar=no, width=450, height=450, status=no, scrollbars=no, resize=no, menubar=no"); } //--> </SCRIPT> <script language="JavaScript"> <!-- // No rightclick script v.2.5 // (c) 1998 barts1000 // barts1000@aol.com // Don't delete this header! var message="Sorry - function disabled.\n\nContents & Graphics Copyright ©Parr\nMaterial should NOT be taken from this site."; // Message for the alert box // Don't edit below! function click(e) { if (document.all) { if (event.button == 2) { alert(message); return false; } } if (document.layers) { if (e.which == 3) { alert(message); return false; } } } if (document.layers) { document.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN); } document.onmousedown=click; // --> </script> </head> <!-- Start of StatCounter Code --> <script type="text/javascript"> var sc_project=2219674; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=20; var sc_security="06d530b7"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter_xhtml.js"></script><noscript><div class="statcounter"><a class="statcounter" href="http://www.statcounter.com/"><img class="statcounter" src="http://c21.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=2219674&amp;java=0&amp;security=06d530b7&amp;invisible=1" alt="free web site hit counter" /></a></div></noscript> <!-- End of StatCounter Code --> <body bgcolor="white"> <table Border="2" bgcolor="#ffffff" bordercolor="#55142F" width=80% align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"><br><br> <table align=center width="70%"> <td align="center"><img src="images/Front.jpg" width="300" height="300"> <font color="#55142F" face="comic sans MS" size="3"><br>'I am my father's son' <br><br> </td> </tr> <tr><td align=center><font color="#55142F" face="comic sans MS" size="6"> <b>PEGASUS-PARR.CO.UK</b></td></tr> <tr><td><br><br> </td></tr> <td align=center valign=middle> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=18875"><img border="0" width=468 src="images/bookanim.gif"></a> </td></tr> <tr><td><br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> <p class=header17> <br> My book is 'Dedicated to Peace - which sadly can only be achieved through War.' <br><br>It tells the true story of my father, Wally Parr, who took part in the famous raid to capture Pegasus Bridge in Normandy on the eve of D-Day in 1944. It not only covers his war years but also his latter life when, at the 40th anniversary of D-Day, the author Stephen Ambrose wrote 'Pegasus Bridge' a book that told the intimate story of the raid and reunited many of my father's comrades for the first time since the war. <br><br> After my mother's death my father retired to Normandy and became actively involved in preserving the old bridge when it was replaced with a new one. He was also involved in the team that was responsible for the building of a new museum in Benouville that housed the old bridge and a full scale replica of a Horsa Glider. He met Prince Charles when he opened the museum in the year 2000. <Br><br> The purpose of this book is to preserve and honour the memory of these fine men and to pass on to the next generation the importance of what they did. My family story is similar to thousands of others from all over the world - my hope is that this book may inspire others to record their own history for their children and their children's children. <br><br> This is not your basic war history book - far better equipped authors have covered the ground more than adequately, instead it is a first-hand account given to me personally. There will be people out there who will demand to see my credentials, others will ask what qualifications I have - to those people my answer is simple: I have only one - I am my father's son. <br><br> <br> My book is based on a poem I wrote for my Father for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day in 1994.<br><br> The poem is now on display in the foyer of the Pegasus Memorial Museum in Normandy and the photo above is of my Father and I seated below it.<br><br> To read my poem click <a href="poem.htm">here</a>. <br><br> You can obtain a signed copy of my book at the reduced price of £10, including UK post and packing, by contacting me <a href="javascript:openWin('contact.htm');"> here</a>. <br><br> Alternatively you can order a copy directly from my publishers, <a target="_blank" href ="http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=18875">Trafford</a> or through all major booksellers or internet distributors by quoting ISBN number 1-4251-1073. <br><br> Read some of the comments that I has received since the publication of my book <a href="comments.htm">here</a>. <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> A Lesson Learnt. <br><br> <p class=header17> This June I was unable to make the trip over to Normandy due to family commitments ..... the 40th Birthday of my eldest daughter and the marriage of my youngest daughter taking up most of me and my wife's time and energy. <br><br>Recently my eldest grandson Jack Phillips wrote a poem about his great grandfather, Wally Parr, and it moved me and my wife so much that I have included it below. <br><br>It was also a wake-up call to me when I realised that it is easy to 'take your eye off the ball' and let your attention and devotion to a cause take a back seat. <br><br>Next year June 5th/6th will be a priority in my calender and perhaps if time and finances permit I may even try and make a personal trip with my grandchildren this year. <br><br>I have included a picture from my book showing my three grandsons and my wife taken at my fathers funeral, they are wearing miniature berets. Jack, now 13, was 7 years old at the time. <br><br> <table align=center border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=10> <tr> <td align=center> <img src="images/boys.jpg" border="0" width=300><br> </td> </tr> <tr><td align=center> <p class=header20> <br><br> <b>My great granddad</b> <br><br> my great granddad fought in world war 2 <br> makes me wish i was like you <br> your guns the Bren and Sten <br> you treated them like your best friend <br> you inspire me and my mates <br> now you know that s how your great <br> so wally Parr i stand here with pride <br> and remember the day that you peacefully died <br> you earned respect from the world and me <br> so we shall carry on you remarkable legacy <br> that day when i wore your beret <br> on that anniversary of d-day <br> you were there and you won power <br> you made the capturing in the early hour <br> i love you great granddad i always have <br> i feel so proud to call you my great granddad <br><br><b>jack Phillips, 13</b> <br><br></td></tr> </table> <br>Ham and Jam <br><b>August 2011</b> <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> The Passing of Two Veterans. <br><br> <p class=header17> On Thursday August the 19th I was saddened to hear of the death of two World War Two veterans. <br><br>The first man, Geoffrey Bacon, made the headlines at the news of his death. The nation heard that at aged 90 he was followed to his flat in Camberwell, London and bundled in by a thug who assaulted him breaking his hip before ransacking his home and stealing £40 and his bus pass. Left in agony Mr. Bacon eventually raised the alarm only to die from his injuries three months later. His assailant was unaware the he was a Second World War veteran who had became a personal driver to Montgomery and Eisenhower, to him he was just another OAP ripe for a mugging. In essence, in my opinion Mr. Bacon died of a broken heart, wondering what has become of the country he fought and was prepared to die for. <br><br>The other veteran that passed away was Bill Millin. The iconic figure of D-Day that played the bagpipes as he landed on the Normandy Beaches and also sounded them as his company, led by Lord Lovat, relieved my father s unit as they held Pegasus Bridge. <br><br>Over the past three decades my father along with Bill Millin and scores of other veterans have enjoyed many a happy hour outside the Café Gondrée at Pegasus Bridge reliving their historic deeds. <br><br>Sadly those days have gone, as many, like my father and Bill have passed away and an ever increasing proportion of the surviving veterans are too frail to attend. The priceless banter that we all heard between them is no more. <br><br>It is now up to the next generation to continue to honour their memory, as I am sure the children and grandchildren of today s brave war heroes will do so in years to come. <br><br><b>August 2010</b> <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> The Cost of War. <br><br> <p class=header17> As troops pulled out of Iraq to the cry of  job done yet still leaving tens of thousands of  non-combatants to police the country, the world counts the cost in lives and misery. <br><br>One comment made by a top official struck a cord in my heart when he called the operation a  Trillion Dollar Investment <br><br>It reminded me of an interview my father gave to the History Channel a few years ago in which he described the personal horrors of war and saying there are no real winners, just death and destruction on both sides. The only winners, he concluded were the money men, those that made the weapons or as 60 s protest singer Bob Dylan called them:  The Masters of War <br><br>Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rBOYIjdki0" target="_blank">here</a> to see my father's interview in full. <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> The Boys of 66. <br><br> <p class=header17> I still have fond memories when, as a sixteen year old, I danced through the streets of London Town celebrating England s World Cup victory in July 1966. I have supported them ever since, through thick and thin& mainly thin! <br><br>Along with the rest of the country, I was less than impressed with the present squad s effort in South Africa recently. <br><br>Their return to Heathrow Airport a fortnight earlier than expected was almost farcical. If I was Coppello, instead of allowing them to slip away out of the back door I would have put them on an old bus, driven them to Wootton Basset, stuck a broom in their hand, made them sweep the gutters of the High Street and then told them to stand in line for a few hours until they witnessed the return of some real heroes! <br><br>In contrast I was inspired to read an article by Paul Jiggins in the Sun Newspaper on July 24th where he reported that the England Under-19s coach Noel Blake took a break from training during the recent European Championship and gave his young starlets a lesson in history. <br><br>Based in Normandy he decided to first show his players the opening scenes from  Saving Private Ryan and then he took them to Arromanches to witness the very beach that 1000 Allied troops lost their lives at the dawn of D-Day. <br><br>Matthew James, the Manchester United midfield captain was particularly moved:  People lost their lives for us - it s why we are able to be here playing for our country. the headline read. <br><br>This summer is the 65th Anniversary of VE and VJ days, I have written in my book that when a group of teenagers were asked about the significance of VE and VJ days back at the 60th, half hadn t a clue and the majority of the rest thought it might be something to do with AIDS or some other sexually transmitted disease! <br><br>Hopefully this generation will follow the example of Matthew James, and grasp the importance of our historic past, unlike our senior squad who complained they were bored in South Africa playing snooker, golf, pool, video games and & almost forgot, football& yet they declined an offer to visit Robben Island and experience Nelson Mandella s story! <br><br>There is one last irony, during 1939 and 1945 this country stood firm and no foreign invaders breached our shores& yet today young footballers are not being allowed to come through the ranks due to a massive influx of foreign exports that is destroying the very fabric of our game and weakening the quality of our National Team. <br><br>If the next generation of our footballers are to overcome this obstacle and emulate the Boys of  66 they would not go far wrong if they turned to the example of the brave young men that trod the beaches of Normandy and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles 66 years ago. <br><br>Time will tell. <br><br>Click <a href="extracts.htm#vevj">here</a> for an extract from my book where I talk about the London celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ Days. <br><br>Click <a href="extracts.htm#role">here</a> for an extract from my book where I compare the 'Coup de Main' boys of '44 with the 'World Cup Squad' of '66. <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> 2010 - 66 years ...... <br><br> <p class=header17> Sadly, due to family commitments and health problems I will not be making the trip to Normandy this June to commemorate the 66th Anniversary. <br><br>Although it will be more low-key than last year, there will be the added bonus of a wreath laying at the new memorial to the 180 men that took part in the now historic raid back in June 1944. <br><br>Project 65, the organisation responsible for raising the funds to erect the memorial has gone from strength to strength. Last week Barry Tappenden, the founder, and Danny Greeno, the chairman, along with the rest of the team organised a march/run from Ilfracombe in North Devon to Bulford Barracks in Wiltshire, a distance of over 130 miles. <br><br>The funds raised will go to various military charities aiding veterans past and present. <br><br>Ben Parkinson, the charity s patron, managed to complete the last 400 yards - Ben is the most wounded soldier in military history to survive his wounds and his battle to regain fitness has been an inspiration to the whole nation. <br><br>The walk/march from Ilfracombe to Bulford was chosen to replicate the march undertaken by the 6th Airborne Division in 1942 as part of its preparation for the invasion of Normandy two years later. <br><br>I record the original march in my book and you can read the extract by clicking <a href="1942.htm" target=_blank>here</a>. <br><br>In 1986, a year after my mothers passing I took my father back to Bulford and we retraced his steps back to North Devon. You can read about this moving journey by clicking <a href="1986.htm" target=_blank>here</a>. <br><br>I would like to take this opportunity to ask every body that is going to Normandy to raise a glass to those veterans that do make the journey along with those too ill to make the trip and finally to those fine men who are no longer with us. <br><br>Ham and Jam <br><br>Barry Parr <br><br>June 2010 <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> 2009 - The 65th approached and passed by ! <br><br> <p class=header17> A great weekend at Pegasus Bridge - below you will find a link to some images of a very moving occasion.<br><br> In the mean time let me tell you about the Project65 runners - nearly 200 completed the run of 65 miles from Tarant Rushton to Pegasus Bridge, although some are convinced it was nearer to 100 miles after some of today's youth decided to 'play' with the route pointer signs in Southampton !<br><br> Each runner carried the name of one of the guys from the six gliders on their shirt and the most moving time for me was meeting John Maher who had proudly worn my Dad's name on his back.<br><br> Here his is with the shirt:- <br><br> <table align=center border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=10> <tr> <td align=center> <img src="images/june2009/jms.jpg" border="0" width=300><br> </td> </tr></table> <br><br> Many thanks John. <br><br>Each year is unique for different reasons. This year, for me, it had to be the effort put in by the Project65 team and the part played by Penny and George Bates, solid and dependable as always. <br><br>Again I see the number of veterans diminish, yet the passion of the increasing crowds grows more intense. <br><br>More than ever I missed the camaraderie of the old crowd - Ted Tappenden, Charlie Gardner, Billy Gray, Jack 'Bill' Bailey, David Wood, Tom Packwood, my Dad and John Howard - all giving each other that special banter that only they could muster. <br><br>No more hangovers - just the memories that live on forever. <br><br>Click <a href="65.htm">here</a> for a few images taken during my days in Normandy for the 65th Anniversary and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8086849.stm">here</a> to watch the 'BBC South Today' report on The Project65 run - including a brief glimpse of John wearing THE Parr shirt !<br><br>'Up the Ox and Bucks!' <br><br>Ham and Jam. <br><br>Barry Parr<br>June 2009 <br><br> <p class=header15> 2009 - The 65th Anniversary ! <br><br> <p class=header17> This year the nation will reach another milestone when we commemorate the 65th Anniversary of D-Day.<br><br> My own personal memories of the 50th and 60th still abound and are well documented in my book.<br> <br> This year will have an added interest thanks to the brain-child of Barry Tappenden, son of 'D' Company's radio operator Ted 'Ham and Jam' Tappenden. <br><br> Barry has come up with the idea of raising funds to commission a memorial to the 180 men who flew in the six gliders that took part in the historic raid to capture the two bridges over the Caen Canal and Orne River at dawn on D-Day.<br><br> The unveiling will be in the grounds of the Pegasus Memorial Museum on June 6th this year. Any surplus funds will go to various Veterans' charities both past and present. <br><br> Barry is aiming to to get at least 180 people to run/walk the 65 miles from Tarrant Rushton, the take-off site for the gliders, to Pegasus Bridge in Normandy - the Channel section will be by ferry!<br><br> To date, Jan 2009, 128 people have signed up to be sponsored....there is still time for you to take up the challenge! For further details go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.Project65.net">Project65.net</a> or if you would like to make a donation go to <a target="_blamk" href="http://www.Justgiving.com">Justgiving.com</a>.<br><br> I have been involved in various Project65 events in the second half of last year and look forward to joining my friends at a family fund raising day at Woburn Abbey on May 10th. Please also see my Bedford River section, below.<br><br> I will be in Normandy this June signing books, being present at the usual events and attending the special unveiling of the Project65 memorial.<br><br> As less and less veterans appear due to their passing or ill health it is vital that we as families and friends continue to honour the memories of these brave men and women.<br><br> Here's to a momentous 65th!<br><br> 'Ham and Jam'<br><br> Barry Parr<br><br> January 2009 <br><br> <p class=header15> Remembrance Sunday...one year on <br><br> <p class=header17> This time last year serving RAF soldiers were being told not to wear their uniforms in Peterborough for fear of abuse and assualts ... while, in other parts of the country, mortally wounded soldiers were being brought back home to be paraded past near deserted streets showing little interest. <br><br> Yet a year on things have changed ... our modern day War Heroes are making the national news, the streets are full of people paying their respect, the X Factor programme has made history by making the fastest selling record honouring 'Help the Heroes' and TV personalities are telling the nation about their great-grandfathers who served so bravely 90 years ago in the First World War. <br><br> Once again people are starting to wear their poppies with pride ... hopefully Remberance Sunday 2008 could be the highest profile one ever! <br><br> Click <a href="extracts.htm#rememberance">here</a> for an extract from my book when I attended the 50th Anniversary ceremony of D-Day, an event that has had a lasting effect on me to this day. <br><br> Barry Parr <br>November 2008. <p class=header15> Bedford River Festival and Project 65 <br><br> <p class=header17> Over the weekend of 12/13th July my wife, Diane, and I travelled to Bedford for the town's Annual River Festival. <br><br> We joined the team from Project 65 in promoting the charity run planned for the 65th anniversary of D-Day in June 2009. <br><br>The display was of a very high standard and included Geoff Baulk's 1940's jeep, various weapons, including a genuine Piat gun, and my friend Dean Croucher's model of Pegasus Bridge. <br><br> I spent a hectic two days sharing the story of the D-Day raid and signing my book while also pointing many people in the direction of the various exhibits and merchandise that is Project 65. <br><br> Over the two days, veteran Tich Raynor was present and he was joined by fellow comrade Bill Gray on Sunday. Both veterans gave an interview to Three Counties Radio around lunch time on Sunday. Before that Danny Greeno and General Sir Robert Pascoe had spent the previous hour on-air flying the flag for Project 65. <br><br> One of the highlights of the weekend, for me, was meeting Ben Parkinson, a modern day veteran and hero who has received terrible injuries in Afghanistan and will hopefully be helped by funds raised by Project 65. <br><br> One of the people that bought my book was a woman who was born on D-Day, not surprisingly her name is June! <br><br> You can see some pictures of my visit to the River Festival by clicking <a href="bedford.htm">here</a>. <br><br> Barry Parr <br>July 2008. <br><br><br><br> <p class=header15> <a name="school"></a> Teaching our Children's Children <br><br> <p class=header17> On the 8th of July I was invited to give two 45 minute talks on the subject of D-Day at my grandson, Jack's, school - Alexandra Junior, Beckenham, Kent. <br><br> Jack is in year 5, (aged 10) and for the summer term they have been studying World War Two. I asked my good friend Dean Croucher to accompany me and he brought with him a large scale model of Pegasus Bridge. <BR><br> We were both amazed at the amount of knowledge the children had acquired over the past few weeks and at the end of each session we had a question and answer time. Not only were we asked many interesting questions but many shared there own relatives wartime experiences which were as diverse as paratrooping into Germany and being POWs in Japan. <br><br> The day reinforced my belief that this generation is still keen to preserve the memory of the fine men and women that did so much for them and there own relatives in the not too distant past. <br><br> I would like to take this opportunity to thank the class teachers, Miss Tomkins and Miss Worlledge, for the thank-you cards and Headmistress, Mrs. Jarvis, for the kind invitation. <br><br> You can see some pictures of the Pegasus Bridge model and my time with the children at Alexandra School by clicking <a href="school.htm">here</a>. <br><br> Barry Parr <br>July 2008. <br><br> <p class=header15> 64th Anniversary visit to Pegasus Bridge. <br><br> <p class=header17> My wife and I have just returned from our annual visit to Normandy. <br><br> This year the same three veterans, Tich Raynor, Johnny Johnson and Stan Watson, attended and as always they flew the flag for their absent comrades who were either unfit to travel or had passed away.<br><br> I was greatly saddened to hear of the recent passing of Denis Edwards, my Dad's old sniping partner. Denis was a constant encouragment to me when I was writing my book and gave me access to much of his material and archives. To me he was the man who had kept all the veterans informed and together over the past two decades and his passing will leave a deep void to fill. I understand from his daughters, Jill and Nicky, that there will be a memorial service at sometime in the future.<br><br> The usual events and services took place overseen again by Penny and George Bates. As an added bonus the Pegasus Memorial team allowed the foyer to be used by the <a HREF="http://www.project65.net/" target="_blank">Project 65</a> team and I to promote their project and for me to sign some books. It was good to catch up with old friends and to meet people that I had been sharing emails with since they bought my book last year.<br><br> Project 65 will be attending the Bedford River Festival on July 12th/13th as they continue to promote their vision - they have asked me to join them on their display and I will be signing some more books and bringing lots of my Father's memorablia with me. If you are able to attend, look out for a model of the bridge and a certain Piat gun! <br><br>I have just heard that Tich Raynor will be joined by Billy Gray at Bedford. That's at least two beers I will be having! <br><br>One of my highlights of the trip to Normandy was meeting the artist Malcolm Winter who had just completed a painting of my Dad's 'No 1 Gun' with a quotation from my book inscribed on the frame. <br><br> To see some of the photos of my trip click <a href="june2008.htm">here</a>. <br><br> <p class=header15> Harry 'Nobby' Clark <br><br> <p class=header17>I was deeply saddened to hear the news that my Father's old friend and comrade, 'Nobby' Clark, passed away on March 5th this year. <br><br>Nobby was the last member of 'D' company to visit my Father in Lewisham Hospital before he died. You can read about his war exploits and his wounding on page 72 of my book - there is also two pictures of him on pages 257 and 263. <br><br>Again, this is another reminder that as "less and less appear at each year's roll" we, the relatives and friends, continue to preserve the memory of these brave men. <br><br> <tr><td> <p class=header15> Project 65 <br><br> <table align=center border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=10> <tr> <td align=center> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.project65.net"><img src="images/project65.jpg" border="0" width=500><br> </td> </tr></table> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header17> Project 65 is the brain-child of Barry Tappenden, son of 'Ham & Bloody Jam' Ted. <BR><BR>Barry has a vision to raise funds for a memorial to the boys of 'D' Company and to give donations to various military organisations. <Br><br>He aims to do this by encouraging as many people as possible to run 65 miles between Tarrant Rushton and Pegasus Bridge in June 2009. <br><br> The memorial will be unveiled in the grounds of the Pegasus Memorial Museum. <br><br>For all the latest information go to <a HREF="http://www.project65.net/" target="_blank">Project65.net</a><br> <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> Pegasus Memorial Team visit London </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header17> Details of the Pegasus Memorial Team visit to London can be found <a href="visit2008.htm">here</a>. <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header15> Role Models <table align=center border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=10> <tr> <td align=center> <img src="images/tn_rolemodels.jpg" border="0" width=500><br> </td> </tr></table> </td></tr> <tr><td> <p class=header17> <br><br> We are only half way through March and the celebrity obsessed public has already learnt that a world renowned young actor has tragically died from an accidental overdose of anti-depressants, an American pop diva has been sectioned in order to protect herself and closer to home one of our top singers has received several Emmy awards while in and out of rehab - we will not discuss divorce settlements! <br><br>Moving from the 'arts' to 'sport', most of us are still reeling in the realisation that this summer all four national football team players will be sunbathing in luxury somewhere in the world while the cream of European teams will be battling it out for the European Championships. But then again we are used to it, not since 1966 have we tasted footballing success on a national level. But as we continue our love/hate relationship with our over-paid and over-pampered footballing 'heroes' I feel there is hope. A new boy is in town, Fabio Cappello, a man that looks like he will install the three 'D's', Desire, Dedication and Discipline into our squad. <br><br>My immediate thought is that a 'next generation John Howard' has taken over and is about to lick a modern- day 'D' Company into shape! <br><br>Click <a href="extracts.htm#role">here</a> for an extract from my book where I compare the 'Coup de Main' boys of '44 with the 'World Cup Squad' of '66. <br><br> <p class=header15>We will remember them <br><br> <p class=header17>At all times we must remember the stirling work done by the Royal British Legion in supporting countless veterans and their families. In my book I mentioned <b>Dean Croucher</b> and his work colleauges who did a sponsored march for the Legion at the 60th Anniversary of D-Day click <a href="extracts.htm#dean">here</a> to read about his march. Recently I have also heard from a guy called <b>Tim Burling</b> who contacted me on my comments page after reading my book. He too has recently completed a march for the British Legion in Normandy, he and Dean not only share the same passion for D-Day but they are also Police Officers with the motivation to encourage fellow work mates to join in. You can read Tim's account of his march by clicking <a href="remember.htm">here</a>. <br><br> <p class=header15>Regular book extracts.... <p class=header17>for the benefit of first time visitors to this website and also for people who have read my book but would like a recap <a href="extracts.htm">here</a> are some extracts from my book with some additional thoughts and comments. <p class=header15>The Next Generation - <br><br> <p class=header17>I was recently contacted by Barbara Barnes, Head of History, at Clayesmore Prep School, which is in Blandford, Dorset. The 12 to 13 year old students, as part of their D-Day studies, recently visited nearby Tarrant Rushton to see where the gliders took off on the night of June 5th 1944. They continued their studies by making a trip to Normandy to visit many sites including Pegasus Bridge. Some of the children were deeply moved by what they saw and were inspired to write some poetry. If you click <a target="_blank" href ="http://www.normandyallies.org">here</a> and follow the link to 'D-Day poetry' you will see poems by James Gill and poetry by Clayesmore Prep School. <br><br>It is so encouraging to see the next generation embracing the magnitude of what happened in June 1944. <br><br> <p class=header15>Normandy 2007 - <br><br> <p class=header17>Some details of our trip to Normandy, in June 2007, can be found <a href="normandy07.htm">here</a>. <br><br> <p class=header15>Raymond 'Tich' Rayner - <br><br> <p class=header17>Some details of a visit to see Tich Rayner can be found <a href="april.htm">here</a>. <br><br> <p class=header15>The News Shopper - <br> <p class=header17> The May 10th edition of my local newspaper 'The News Shopper' had an article in it's history section about my book and my Father's war story. <br><br> If you missed the article, it is available <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/search/display.var.1370508.0.keeping_fathers_memories_alive.php">here</a>. <br><br> <table align=center border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=10> <tr> <td align=center> <img src="images/tn_hrh.jpg" border="0" width=300><br> <p class=header14>'Wally Parr of Catford' listens to Prince Charles at the unveiling of the glider' </td> </tr></table> <Br><br> <p class=header15>Wally Parr's London - <br> <p class=header17>Some details of a recent walking tour of Wally Parr's London can be found <a href="visit.htm">here</a>. </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"><p class=header16><br><br>This site always being updated so please visit again soon.</td></tr> <tr><td align="center"><p class=header16><br>You can contact Barry Parr <a href="javascript:openWin('contact.htm');"> <b>here</b></a> for further information.</td></tr> <tr><td><br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"><font color="#55142F" face="comic sans MS" size="3"><a href="http://www.chalkface.net" target="_blank">Site hosted by Chalkface Limited</a><br><br></td></tr> </table> </td></tr></table> </body> </html>