The Branch is located in Ranville, a village well known for the famous Pegasus Bridge, where the first gliders landed at 00:15hrs in the morning of 6th June 1944. Major Jack Watson, one of the men who liberated Ranville at 02:30hrs on that day, is one of the vice-presidents of the Branch.
From the Branch’s office window at rue des Airbornes, the sight of the Ranville British War Graves Cemetery, is a permanent reminder of those who gave their lives and what the British Legion is all about.
Each year the Branch holds a Rememberance Service in Bayeux Cathedral on the morning of 6th June and a wreath laying ceremony at Ranville cemetery on the afternoon of 5th June. The 4th, 5th and 6th June are days that many veterans together with the younger generations, the local inhabitants and dignitaries commemorate this historical event.
There are 27 war cemeteries in Normandy. Those which cannot be visited on either the 5th or 6th June will have ceremonies held at other times of the year. The Branch is active in commemorations from February to November. Besides the commemorations the Branch provides assistance to ex-servicemen and women and their dependants throughout the Normandy-Calvados region and, of course, ex-service branch members no matter where they are. Our Welfare Assistance covers a very wide area in upper and lower Normandy.
I have resently spent time in Normany and visited some of the war cemeteries plus the beaches of Utah Omaha Gold and Sword.
In sight of the Bayeux Catheral we made our base at the Campanile motel. What a great pity that I didnt know that your Branch excisted. I can find a Banville village on the map close to Bayuex but not a Ranville?????
Can you supply me with the village names where the 27 war cemeteries are in Normandy?
Best wishes
Ian Thomas El Campello Branch Chairman BR3464
Your website is first class.