from IWM website. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944 IWM (TR 2000) British and American troops join with local inhabitants of Courseulles in the ceremony at the War Memorial. Courseulles was the first town to be liberated by the Allies. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2000)IWM Non Commercial Licence IWM (TR 2001) A local fireman holding the French Tricolour during the ceremony at the War Memorial to celebrate Bastille Day. Courseulles was the first town to be liberated by the Allies. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2001)IWM Non Commercial Licence IWM (TR 2002) Local children during the ceremony at the War Memorial to celebrate Bastille Day. Courseulles was the first town to be liberated by the Allies. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2002)IWM Non Commercial Licence IWM (TR 2003) Two children, a brother and sister, laying flowers on the War Memorial during the ceremony to celebrate Bastille Day. Courseulles was the first town to be liberated by the Allies. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2003)IWM Non Commercial Licence IWM (TR 2004) Two children, a brother and sister, laying flowers on the War Memorial during the ceremony to celebrate Bastille Day. Courseulles was the first town to be liberated by the Allies. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2004)IWM Non Commercial Licence IWM (TR 2006) Local children with flowers to lay on the War Memorial during the ceremony in Courseulles to celebrate Bastille Day. On the left is a British marine who sounded the Last Post at the ceremony. BASTILLE DAY IN COURSEULLES, NORMANDY, 14 JULY 1944. © IWM (TR 2006)IWM Non Commercial Licence
..and one black & white picture. (anyone Then & Now it? ) IWM (B 7277) British troops playing football against the local team in Courseulles in France on Bastille Day, 1944. SPORT & LEISURE IN THE BRITISH ARMY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. © IWM (B 7277)IWM Non Commercial Licence
Any idea on the British units - I may have the war diary. I love the two Tommy's in IWM (TR 2003), top left corner. One with his tunic halfway undone and the other with his hand in his pocket, says to me they don't want to be there
I'd have said men from No 7 Beach Group but maybe wrong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_groups#No.7_Beach_Group
Similar parade along the coast at Bernieres-sur-Mer. http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/detail/21904 5th Royal Berks. 0800hrs. Off loading normal 1100hrs. National Day of France celebrations. Commanding Officer attends service at Bernieres Church. Wreath laid on Cenotaph. Visit to Canadian Cemetery for short service. Special Bulletin was issued giving brief history of France's National Day. 1800hrs. tonnage: 4,335.. 1929hrs. 1 ME Crashed. Parachute seen descending.
Looks like here, currently the parking lot of the school: Streetview looking S.: Google map (S. of the town square, immediately E. of the church): 1947 aerial (church at top left):