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14/06/2016 18:35:31
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Shelagh farrell
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Joined: 14/06/2016 18:10:06
Messages: 2
Location: Cheshunt, Herts
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Hi I am looking for information on where the memorials are in France where 3 Commando saw action. My father Bob Cubitt served with 3 Commando during WWII and I would like to visit the memorials in France. Can anyone help with locations?
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15/06/2016 10:13:11
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John Martin
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Joined: 19/08/2010 16:02:05
Messages: 58
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Good morning, Shelagh.
From memory, there is a memorial to 3 Cdo in the village of Amfreville sited on the grassy square in the middle of the village, close to the church and the Saulnier farm.
(It is some years since I have been there.)
Amfreville is quite close to the ferry terminal in Ouistreham, and even closer to the Pegasus Bridge in Benouville.
Following D-Day, there was some very hard fighting in and around Amfreville involving not only 3 Cdo but also 4 Cdo.
In the neighbouring hamlet of Oger, a small square is named after Lt Colonel Robert Dawson, who was the CO of 4 Cdo at the time.
I hope that this helps.
Best wishes,
John
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15/06/2016 11:08:47
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John Martin
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Joined: 19/08/2010 16:02:05
Messages: 58
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Good morning again, Shelagh.
I am sorry for the piecemeal approach, but I have been doing some scratching around.
In the same area, you will find memorials to 3 Cdo in Petiville and Merville - Franceville.
(The latter contains the site of the Merville Battery, where two troops were detached from 3 Cdo to help retake the battery from German forces.)
Throughout this spell, the CO of 3 Cdo was Lt Col Peter Young.
Close to Amfreville there is a very touching - aren't they all - Commonwealth war cemetery in Ranville where in addition to airborne forces a number of Commando soldiers also lie buried.
Again, I hope that this helps.
Yours,
John
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15/06/2016 11:59:38
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NIC
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Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Hi Shelagh,
No.3 Commando were part of 1 Special Service Brigade (1 Commando Brigade) - you can find some photos of memorials to 1 Cdo Brigade and No.3 Cdo in our Gallery
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+War+Graves+Memorials+and+Plaques/Normandy/
Certainly there are memorials in Amfreville, Douville-en-Auge, Varaville, Merville-Franceville (Merville Battery), & Criqueville en Auge.
there is also a museum at the site of the Merville Battery.
Hope this is of use.
Nick
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 15/06/2016 12:06:27
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Nick Collins,
Commando Association Historical Archivist & Photographer.
Proud son of Cpl Mick Collins, 5 Troop, No5 Cdo
"Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade?"
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15/06/2016 16:48:25
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Shelagh farrell
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Joined: 14/06/2016 18:10:06
Messages: 2
Location: Cheshunt, Herts
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Hi, thank you for the replies they have been very helpful. I am hoping to visit the area on my drive back back from Spain in August so I will research the locations you have given me. Pegasus bridge was on the list.
Thanks again.
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