New British Normandy Memorial

[DB]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57373932

In a dedication speech, the Prince of Wales said this:

Quote

"Despite having to watch via satellite link, this in no way obscures the enormous regard, and admiration, in which we hold our veterans - or diminishes our debt of gratitude to the more than 22,000 men and women whose names are now permanently inscribed in stone in this place of honour above Gold Beach."

The BBC subhead attracted my attention because it said "22,242 servicemen and women", which made me wonder just how many women were killed in this period in Normandy. The article makes particular mention of two nurses lost with their hospital ship after it hit a mine, and I suspect that nearly all of those lost would have been nurses.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Its a really nice memorial, I should like to see that.

Ive been meaning to post this which I hope you dont think unrelated.

 

[RichTO90]

8 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Its a really nice memorial, I should like to see that.

Ive been meaning to post this which I hope you dont think unrelated.

Nice, although technically she was not part of the D-Day assault force. She was part of the 17th LCT Flotilla of LCT Squadron 'H', which was part of Follow-on Force L. She was either part of Group L-3 carrying 22 Armoured Brigade to JIG or L-4 carrying 30 Corps overheads to JIG and KING.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Oh well, at least she was a participant. All her sisters who might have been better candidates must have gone by the 1970s. Thanks for the background in that.

If you look online, there is a series of videos of her restoration. There is also a lecture by the 'site archaeologist' who was present at her strip down and restoration.

There was also an L3515 that was nearly preserved, but was too far gone. It was too late to participate in the war in any case. She languished in Pounds scrap yard for many years.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Stalker_(L3515)

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by Stuart Galbraith

[Stuart Galbraith]

Incidentally, it turns out another D-Day LST has survived, this one in Poland of all places!

 

[Rick]

https://www.lstmemorial.org

Been here a few times. The volunteers - all senior citizens and their wives - will occasionally sail the ship along the Ohio River. 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Thats amazing, I didnt think there was any of those left.

Was it one  of this class in the movie 'Live and let die'?

 

[RichTO90]

There is speculation she is LST-571. There are about 20 LST from World War II still in existence. One, the former LST-510 is the ferry Cape Henlopen and is still operational.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Thats amazing.

https://alchetron.com/USS-LST-510