Details of this year's commemoration on Sunday 24th March can be found here:- Operation Varsity Memorial Service - 24/03/2019 10:45:00 Thanks as ever to the staff of the Marks Hall Estate for continuing to support this annual event. Jenny
No fly over this year I believe which is a shame. if you're in the area, the service is worth attending. Less and less veterans off course now.
A Memorable Service Standing in that that quiet wooded glade in the warm spring sunlight close by where the Gliders took off this day 74 years ago. The Last Post As the silence started an aircraft took off from the nearby airstrip and it seemed very fitting as the sounds of its engines echoed around the woods. As the sounds faded out a pair of mewing Buzzard's wheeled above the Ceremony. Two Glider Pilot souls? Who knows.
Yes, that was a bit of a coincidence with light aircraft. Attendance was a much bigger than expected. The service itself could have run smoother, but none the less we remembered those who never came back and those who have since passed away. The Richard Dimbleby recording played at the beginning seemed to be of interest as we had a few comments.
The Richard Dimbleby recording played at the beginning seemed to be of interest as we had a few comments.[/QUOTE] A version of this recording including Stanley Maxted's account of his flight in a Hamilcar is available here. Well worth 20 minutes of your time. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time I hear it. http://secure.toolkitfiles.co.uk/clients/22828/sitedata/files/Operation Varsity.mp3 Jenny
An American Oak tree sapling , presented by South East Essex Parachute Regiment Association was dedicated to the memory of American Air Crew who lost their lives on airborne Operations.
This years commemoration service is expected to be well attended as it's the 75th year anniversary. I'm informed they expect people attending to arrive about 09.00 for a 09.45 procession to the memorial. The service is supposed to start at 10.30. Usually we have driven along the back track to the memorial plinth, so it sounds like the organisers are changing things this year. I can't see elderly people, especially the veterans walking that far though.
The organisers of the event, Marks Hall Estate have now cancelled this. A few of us however may go there and place a wreath on the memorial.
