BRANCH NEWSLETTER - AUGUST
Hello everyone,
Apologies if you have already received this however unfortunately it appears a large number of those on the mailing list, did not get the previous e-mail.
Hope you are all well and are enjoying the return of the sunshine and warm weather.
August has been a busy month for one thing or another. The Chairman and other branch members attended a ceremony at Île aux Moines on Wednesday 14th August to commemorate Squadron Leader Cook and Flight Lieutenant Pyrah, who lost their lives when their Mosquito was downed over the Île aux Moines on 14th August 1944. The day was a great success with some very moving ceremonies, a memorial unveiling and a fly past from the French Air Force. Several family members attended from the UK and we were all made most welcome by local officials and residents with specific credit and thanks to Chloe and Dom Calligaris.
Thanks to Eddie and Viji Barlow and Tina Wildblood who attended, and particular thanks to John Duncan and Jean-Michel Crewe (Finistere Standard Bearer) and his family all of whom travelled a great distance to attend from North Finistere. More information and some photos will shortly be on the Branch Facebook page and the RBL website.
The next Social is on Thursday the 5th September 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy. Please come along and bring your friends. You don’t have to be a member of the RBL, but we would appreciate it if you considered joining the branch.
As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by by e-mailing
Karen with the number attending, by Monday 2nd September.
Another big event that you are all invited to is the BREST COMMEMORATIONS on the 21st -22nd September.
On Saturday 21 September at La Forest Landerneau there will be a ceremony to inaugurate a new memorial plaque to three British Commando’s from 30 Assault Unit led by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, who lost their lives on 1 September 1944. Marine Sanderson (20), Able Seamen Brady (21) et Muldoon (20)
The event is a joint Souvenir Français French CWGC) and Royal British Legion (Central Brittany) function. Timing is unconfirmed but usually around 11.00 am.
Family members along with a delegation of Royal Marines and Royal Navy will be attending along with some families of the French Resistance.
On Sunday 22nd September there is a Remembrance Ceremony in the main courtyard of Fort Montbarey Museum, to commemorate the capture of the Fort and in particular the role played by British land and sea Forces. The event will start at 10.00am with an open air interfaith service “Prayers for Peace” before moving to the standard French Remembrance ceremony. This will be a big event with the French Navy providing an Honour Guard and will be attended by the Mayor of Brest and local French MPs and around 30 guests from the UK.
The Commemoration at Fort Montbarey is the first since the late 1980s. Both are part of the official 80th Liberation schedule.
All RBL (Central Brittany) members are very welcome at both events. NB La Forest Landerneau is on the East side of Brest. Fort Montbarey on the West, and is on the main tramline from the centre of Brest.
More background on the British role in the Liberation of Brest can be found on John Duncan’s website
https://brittanyremembers.com/contents/If you want any further information on the events, just drop me a line.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Kind Regards
Karen Lockwood
Secretary