Return to pathfinder history 2009 part 3 of 4
Arnhem Trip 2009 from the veterans perspective.
P.R.A.Tyneside
Branch by Dave Berry Pathfinder UK
This
trip had two purposes not only it was the 65th Anniversary but
the Tyneside Branch was donating a bench to the Oosterbeek Church.
Thurs
17th
Well, after we all collected at the DFDS Ferry terminal we were full of spirits. When we got on to the boat.( see picture 1 Donny Baxter ex 4th Para & Dave Tudor Pathfinder Group UK, picture 2 Billy Loght Ex Pay corps, 'God bless them' "cough" with James Caldwell ex jump instructor and WRSM support comp 17th Para & fusiliers photo 3 Billy Redicliff ex 10 th Para Palestine).
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We
got about 5 miles out and a Helicopter came and took a veteran passenger
away that had a heart attack. Fri
18th Never mind that, back to the trip we arrived on the other side of the pond. (Picture 4 Phil McGary Ex 17 th 4th RSM & Dave Adams whose father was at Arnhem Medical Corp).) Weather was looking good so off to Arnhem there was a pint with my name on it I think.
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| Well when we got booked into the Hotel we went for a recce to the Schoonnard . To see who made it back this year ( pic 5 Ian McDonald ex 17th Para Tyneside Branch with a ex 17th Para Brother from the old days). With us from our branch we had a ex Normandy/Ryn/ and Changy Jail Executioner Vet Billy Ness 6th Para our Branch Chairman ,who had not been to Arnhem at all but he was a very good friend of my father’s (pic 6 Billy & James ). |  |
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Sat18th Went
to Ginkle Heath , I was chaperoning Billy Ness vet. He was very proud
to meet some of the guys and he met a ex vet that he had not seen for
65 years. He burst into tears. It was an emotional moment. Some
of the DZ photos..
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Sun
19th Church Parade, I was chosen to escort Billy Ness with his best mate that he had not seen for 65 years until the previous day, to the cenotaph with their wreath . I was very honoured and very proud and I just wish my father had seen me . I know he was with me in spirit and as was all my Airborne Family in the cemetery
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| Sadly one of the vets pictured with us died 2 weeks ago. His name was Fred Gray former Royal Artillery. He had always promised his missus to take her to Arnhem and this year he had succeeded. | |
| At the afternoon ceremony and my second Church service of the day ,which is good going for me, we presented our bench |  |
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| As you can see we had the Mayor and all the dignitaries. |  |
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Mon
20 th Returned Home not without a Song and dance ( pic Billy Loght) on the Ferry In
the party with me I had some SAS lads as well and they also enjoyed
themselves and they thanked me for a good trip. I was very chuffed
with that as they are hard to please . |
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