'I am my father's son'

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Normandy Commemorations - June 2007

The 63rd Anniversary

During the first week of June my wife, Diane, and I along with our friends Dean Croucher (see page 210 of my book) and Colin Evans (see book acknowledgements) made a short trip to Normandy to attend the annual D-Day commemorations.

We arrived on Monday 4th and after booking into our Hotel, in Ouisterham, immediately left for an evening engagement with a group of Americans from New Orleans who were staying in Bayeux. They treated us to dinner and in return I gave a short after-dinner talk sharing my Father's experiences and signing some books - it was good to make contact with the party organisers, Carrie Corbett and Jeremy Collins - I hope they will spread the word back at the World War Two Museum in New Orleans.

We began the next day, the 5th, by attending various ceremonies in the grounds of the Pegasus Memorial Museum including a blessing by the Chaplain of the 6th Airborne Division, Rev. Paul Abrams, as he sent out our friends, John and Yvonne Pressdee, on a prayer walk around the battlefields of Normandy. Details of their walk can be found here.

Penny Bates signed copies of her book: 'The Pegasus Diaries' during the morning and I spent the afternoon signing copies of my book. We both had extra piles of books to sign that were being sent around the world, as far as America and Australia - I think we would both agree that is was an encouraging time.

In the evening we attended the dinner given by the local mayor and then went on to the midnight ceremony at the landing zone.

On the 6th we attended the cermony at Den Brotheridge's grave in Ranville and then marched across the Bridge and laid wreaths at the memorial in Bénoville.

It was good to meet lots of people and to put some faces to names that I have been sharing with over the last few months, particularly Neil Barber, Philippe Rouyer and some of the boys from the' Wild Bill' forum.

If you have read my book and would like to enter any thoughts and commments please send them to the comments section on this site.


Barry Parr.

Here some pictures ..... click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.

Dean & Colin outside the Café where we met with the guys from New Orleans.

Jeremy Collins introduces me with an American Veteran to his right.

At Pegasus Bridge with Dean & Colin.

My wife, Diane, and Colin look on as a group of French school children learn about Pegasus Bridge.

Marc Jacquinot with the Glider Pilots Regiment.

Standing beside the wreaths in memory of Ted Tappenden, Wally Parr and Arthur Roberts.

Penny Bates lays a wreath at the replica glider.

The Chaplian of the 6th Airborne Division blesses a group of our friends who were to walk the battlefields of Normandy.

Two of Wally's old friends at the book signing.

With Diane and Tich Rayner.

A military band entertain before the Mayor's banquet.

Surviving veterans are photographed.

Champagne at the midnight ceremony - Tich Rayner comforts Joan Packwood.

Marc Jacquinot and The Mayor - aprés Champagne !

Tich Rayner lays a wreath at Den Brotheridge's grave with George Bates looking on.

Diane encourages 'Tich' shortly afterwards.

The parade begins with Barry Tappenden in attendance.

Following the veterans.

Danny Greeno with his Dad, Chris, finds a book case!

Refreshmenats after the parade - Tich, Geoff Baulk and Dean.

Selling my book to a biker as we await the ferry home !

You can get a copy of Barry's book from Amazon or W.H.Smith by quoting ISBN 1-4251-1073-8 or by clicking here to order directly from the publishing house.


You can contact Barry here for further information.



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