No Rest

A quick cup of coffee and it was off to Falmouth Cemetery for the 82nd St Nazaire Raid Commemoration Service.
There was a less than usual turn out at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission WWII Plot, in this section two of those lost on the raid are buried. Just Able Seaman William Savage VC and Motor Mechanic Tom Parker were returned here for burial, both received wreaths and were remembered with gratitude.
As part of the short service it was my privilege to read the Exhortation.

We then crossed to the new section of Falmouth. Cemetery where Johnny Johnson a member of No 5 Commando who survived both the raid and the war is remembered, not just by his family but by those who know the story.

I then headed down to Falmouth to meet up with fellow veterans, a quick coffee and bacon sandwich before we set off for Prince of Wales Pier. This was a better attended parade than recent years with representatives, including the Mayor of St Nazaire. The civic party now outnumbers the marching contingent but all are welcome.

Except of course the drunk heckler at the rear who did his best to spoil the occasion before being quietly led away by security.
It didn’t detract from what is always a moving service.

We returned to the Moor to fall out from the parade, for me it was a brief opportunity for a few “hello’s & goodbyes” before heading home, changing and heading off to watch Sam play rugby.

Ninety miles over the bridge into deepest darkest Devon.
But more of that tomorrow.