Hello All, Posting on behalf of my old mate Cpl Gordon Penter 3781977 B Coy 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.Gordon was unable to attend Caen for this event and hence unable to receive his Overlord Medal.Whilst having a chat with him this morning he mentioned how sorry he was that he could not attend due to illness at the time and how he would like to find out how to receive this award.I do know it is possible to purchase this medal on the internet but i would be grateful if anybody could point me in the right direction to hopefully get this medal officially presented to Gordon in time for his 90th birthday on 05/11/12 would be a lovely surprise for him if it can be organised for this date.Look forward to any help offered Jim Doyle on behalf of Cpl Gordon Penter 3781977 B Coy 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment PS Hoping to have Gordon posting regards actions from Sword to Chateau La Londe were he was wounded and taken prisoner,unbeleivable account of what transpired during that battle
I obtained this medal on behalf of my father in 1994, via the Royal British Legion. The accompanying scroll said the medal was presented by René Garrec, president of the Conseil Régional Basse Normandie (Regional Council of Lower Normandy), Abbaye aux Dames, Caen. I'm sure if you contact the British Legion or the Conseil Régional Basse Normandie, they might be able to help. As far as I remember, you had to fill in a form giving details of the veteran's unit and his service during the Normandy campaign.
Great mob the South Lancs. My Brigade the 8th. led oof every time. PLease give him my best regards and tell him if he cannot get one he can have mine. Sapper
Great mob the South Lancs. My Brigade the 8th. led oof every time. PLease give him my best regards and tell him if he cannot get one he can have mine. Sapper Found them on the web Sapper just trying to get it awarded officially as be-fitting the man and his comrades,will mention you to him, printed off some of your posts regards Chateau La Londe and he has had a great time recollecting the South Lancs actions up until he was shot in the face by a German sniper.Mentioned about the "WALK IN " to the chateau in the first action! far from he said bloody machine gun fire raining in on them certainly no "walk in".Have a good chat every day with him going to build up as much as we can for a future website so we can share Gordon's and his comrades story. Cheers Sapper Jim
I was not at the chateau....But my mates were at the Chateau de la londe, "The bloodiest square mile in Normandy" We lost sappers there and never found them.... mention 246 Field Company Royal Engineers of 8th brigade along with South Lancs East Yorks and the Suffolks.....
Good day Jimi and welcome to the forum, You may try contacting the Normandy Council for Veterans based in Caen to see if they are still issuing the award to eligible veterans. There was also a 'bar' awarded for surviving Normandy Veterans at the time of the 65th anniversary (2009). It may be an idea to enquire about this at the same time. The last personal contact I had with this office was in 2010, the address being as follows: Madame Sandie Cordonne, 88, rue St Martin 14000 CAEN, Calvados, FRANCE. Good luck!
Some of the Normandy Veterans I know also received their 2009 'bars' in the UK. I should also have mentioned there was a 60th anniversary medal as well as a 50th anniversary one. I imagine you received all three, Sapper?
I do have about a dozen or so all together, including the French Chest medal. A damn great big silver and brass thingy with charging troops depicted. If only I ever took care of them they would make a great display,....But I don't!
My Grandfather fought at the Chateau. His Churchill Crocodile of 141 RAC was blown up on 27/6/1944 and through correspondence years ago with Eddie Jones of the 1st South Lancs, we were able to put the story together of what happened. He had witnessed the tank being hit. My Grandfather survived wounded & died in 1969. His crew are buried in Normandy.
Thanks for your help Ritson will be contacting them straight away to hopefully organize these awards for Gordon in time for his 90th birthday in November will be a lovely surprise for him and his fallen comrades of the 1st South Lancs.Will keep you posted my friend, on behalf of Gordon thank you so much Jim
