'Norman House' on Juno Beach

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by nigelblue27, Jun 17, 2011.

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  1. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    We're back from our annual Normandy trip.On 6th June this year,we attended a service for Queens own rifles at 8.00 am in front of the house on Juno Beach.My wife landed further along the beach on the 8th withn 5th Black Watch.It was an honour to meet a Canadian d-day veteran who shared some stories with us.
    We were then amazed,after the ceremony,we were invited inside the house for coffee and biscuits to continue socialising.we met the house owner who was superb,and it was quite syrreal looking through the front window out onto the beach,just imagining the soldiers and landing craft coming in.Superb couple of hours.
     

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    Jakob Kjaersgaard likes this.
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Nice one, have visited it many times, including once on 6th June, but never been inside.
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    My wife landed further along the beach on the 8th withn 5th Black Watch.

    Blimey, did she really?
    ;)
    Jammy thing getting inside.
     
  4. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

    Nice pics. :)
     
  5. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Nigel,

    We had a similar experience.
    The owner of the Norman House is a very gracious man. Back in 2007, he saw a group of us in front of his home and came out to meet the veterans, shake hands and spend some time discussing the history of the location. He was very friendly and jovial and spent at least 30 minutes with our group. The fact that a Canadian flag is permanently displayed on his home suggests that he is favourably disposed to Canucks.
     
  6. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Nigel,
    I was there May 18th. It must have been surreal to watch the Canadians landing on DDay. Thanks for the pics. Any idea as to the names and regiments of the Veterans who attended the ceremony?

    Randy
     
  7. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Sorry,meant to say my wifes DAD landed further down the beach!
     
  8. Jakob Kjaersgaard

    Jakob Kjaersgaard Senior Member

    Nice photos, thanks for sharing :)
     
  9. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Hi 17th dyrch, one of the canadians was from b coy,queens own rifles.another one was british- a jim baker,i think he was royal marines,assault flotilla,one of the very first to land at the house
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Sorry,meant to say my wifes DAD landed further down the beach!
    I know you did, I'm just jealous you got to go inside.
    As I've been outside it twice now.
     
  11. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Hi owen,we were really lucky.we were outside the house on the 3rd just looking.a young man named gauthier came out;noticed me in my kilt and started talking.when we said the kilt was for my father in law,who landed on the beach,he invited us in.we met the owner then,who invited us back on the morning of the 6th,after the service for the queens own. This is what we find in normandy-the people are so friendly and certainly still appreciate what the veterans did for them-and there always seems to be some kind of surprise around the corner
     
  12. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Hi 17th dyrch, one of the canadians was from b coy,queens own rifles.another one was british- a jim baker,i think he was royal marines,assault flotilla,one of the very first to land at the house

    Nigel, thanks for the info. My wife's second cousin, Lt. R. Fleming was with the QOR, landed there on June 6, 1944. KIA on June 7th and is buried at Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-sur-mer.

    I noted that the house is now called Maison Queen's Own Rifle.

    Randy
     
  13. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Hi randy,
    the QOR veteran signed my book but it's in work at the moment.wont be there until weds.I think his name is john hartley from b coy.I'll let you know.
     
  14. Ben Blackwell

    Ben Blackwell Member

    Looks very good Nigel. Is that house on Bernieres-Sur-Mer? We stopped in a chalet at the edge of that town and walked around each evening.
     
  15. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Hi Ben,
    Yes that's the big house on the front.On D-Day,it was a large single house,but we were told last week,that due to family disagreements the house is now two smaller properties!!
     
  16. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Nigel,
    thanks for the info. The Regimental Association is located in Toronto. I may take a walk through their museuam.
    Must have been neat to actually get inside the place. That house holds special significance for all Canadians. I take it you are British?

    Cheers
    Randy
     
  17. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Yes Randy,I am welsh and my wife is english
     
  18. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Nigel,
    thanks for the info. The Regimental Association is located in Toronto. I may take a walk through their museuam.
    Must have been neat to actually get inside the place. That house holds special significance for all Canadians. I take it you are British?

    Cheers
    Randy

    Randy,

    Where is the QOR museum? Moss Park?
     
  19. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

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