A few thoughts after I visited Dads Grave in the Hermanville War Cemetery in Normandy

I hope you do not mind mind me posting this Ladies and Gentleman but it about summed up my feelings upon visiting my Dad's Grave at Hermanville in Normandy:

It was mid afternoon on a grey November day, just after
Remembrance Day. We found your Grave, Olive, and I.

I wanted to be dressed up for you. Yes that was
very important.

The green grass was soggy under foot and the rows
and rows of white stones stood like sentinels. Underneath
the young heroes lie resting far from their homes and the shores
from whence they came.

Eighteen, nineteen years of age. You were one of the eldest
at twenty eight. What for ? What a waste.

What have we done?

We brought a Poppy Wreath all the way from Canada. It
had maple leaves on it. We laid it in your memory at the head of
your stone.

You knew we were there. Do you remember, throwing the stones
up at my widow when you came home on leave, so Mum would
let you in at Gossoms End. I was dressed in that little blue suit and
I fell back in the tin bath full of water and you picked me up.

I can't see much more through my tears. I am sorry. You would
have wanted me to be brave but as I stood there the pain of not
knowing you my darling man bathed me in misery and confusion. Why.

Mum is growing old, I think she is ready to join you.

She is getting ready. I feel it. I know you love her. I read
your letters of love to her and always you mentioned your darling
Olive and Michael.

What are you doing here...these were not your beaches this was not
your land. This was not your fight.

Oh, I forgot, the letter said ," To save mankind from tyranny"

I stood there, just you and me. I should have done it years ago
but not until now. I too have grown old.

I screwed up but the water had to flow under a few bridges.
Couldn't hold the Guinness. Like you there was trouble and trouble.

I did what you wanted. She got me an apprenticeship. I became the
engineer. I never became the Priest but I have prayed and prayed for
you.

'Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on Daddy's soul.'

I joined the Force....put on the badge and uniform and fought
my wars that yours did not solve.

Canada is a beautiful place..this Saskatchewan. I wish you were
here..I wish this was your piece of ground instead of this
sacred place in Normandy.

The afternoon light is fading in this Hermanville field. Behind you
is a little farm and cows. There is peace here.

The guns are silent, the ruins are rebuilt but the houses are
much the same as you saw, as you came ashore.

I told Olive about the sixth of June, 1944 as she looked out
the hotel window at the Channel. She saw those hundreds of ships
come out of the misty dawn.

Rest in Peace you and your mates.

Thank you Dad... Thank you Sergeant.


Michael

 

Michael

Thank you for sharing a very private & personal experience. To stand in front of your Fathers grave must have been one of the hardest things you must have endured.

Robert.

 

With respect what was his Regiment or Corps.
sapper

 

Sapper - The details are on the thread just below this one. Same division as yours if I'm correct. If not, apologies in advance.

Robert

 

What for?

For me.

Thanks for sharing

 

Sapper -
can't find the regiment as Ramacal suggests - but it sounds like he was with the Regina Rifles who led the assualt on Juno - Nan Green beach, with 3rd Canadian Div.

a worthwhile tale told !

 

Michael,
Welcome to the forum.

You posted an extremely powerful and moving testament in memory of your father.

Thankyou for sharing.

Regards
Tom

 

Tom - Please see the other thread on the same subject as they are related. It might be worth it if a Mod was to merge them to avoid further confusion

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/nw-europe/17185-trying-glean-information-re-my-fathers-battle-group-normandy.html

Regards - Robert

 

Sapper

My Father was in the British Army... Royal Artillary 67th. Anti-Tank Battery.

I am trying to find out a little about his unit and any of his mates in the Anti Tank Battery.

Cheers

Michael

 

Wow, a beautifully written commemoration to your father. Thankyou so much for sharing this. I was instantly drawn to this thread as my Grandmothers uncle is also at Hermanville. Im planning a visit to Normandy in a few months time and it will be my first visit. He landed on Sword beach on D Day but lost his life 27/6/44.

I found this certificate only a week ago. (Grandma didnt know where hes located)

CWGC :: Certificate

 

Wow, a beautifully written commemoration to your father. Thankyou so much for sharing this. I was instantly drawn to this thread as my Grandmothers uncle is also at Hermanville. Im planning a visit to Normandy in a few months time and it will be my first visit. He landed on Sword beach on D Day but lost his life 27/6/44.

I found this certificate only a week ago. (Grandma didnt know where hes located)

CWGC :: Certificate

The Hermanville War Cemetary is quite small. There is an open shelter at one end and there you will find a book giving you the location of each grave.

There are a couple of small Hotels in the area..one right in Hermanville I think it is called 'Hotel Le Canada'. There is also a flower shop in another adjacent village.

Thank you for your comments......Hermanville is so peaceful although it is a pity it is there at all.

Michael

 

Michael, thank you for sharing such a personal experience with us.

 

Beautiful, simply beautiful Michael. There's a very proud Dad looking down on his son. Thank you for sharing.

 

I feel like crying now, that would of been hard for you

 

You feel like crying ....?

Wiped me out.

 

Thanks for sharing this, Michael. A touching piece about a heartfelt moment.
phil

 

Very moving. Thanks for sharing

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

For a thread opening it beats them all.

It moved me to write this for you and your mum



I came some way to see this place,

that robbed me of my father’s grace.

To stand in front a granite column

and see his name carved so solemn.



To shed a tear and wonder why,

all these souls came here to lie.

With all his brothers row on row,

ageless memories they will grow.



A child so small not understood

of worldly matters bad or good.

Nor could I really understand,

for him to fight in a foreign land.



A life with him I should have spent,

moments so few, his fate meant.

He could have stayed and played with me,

but he died fighting tyranny.