Vernon Then & Now

Wessex Wyvern · #1 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:34 PM

43rd Wessex Div crosses the Seine and I was there 63 years to the day later.
Then photos are from Ken Ford's "Assault Crossing."

Wessex Wyvern · #2 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:35 PM

Wessex Wyvern · #3 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:36 PM

Wessex Wyvern · #4 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:37 PM

and this one

Wessex Wyvern · #5 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:40 PM

In Giverney, of Monet fame is this road.
Giverney was liberated on 27th August 1944 by 4th Wilts with help from armoured cars of 43 Recce Regt.
The Bn CO spent the night in Monet's house.

CWGC :: Casualty Details

Name: EDGE, PETER
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C.
Unit Text: 43rd (2/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regt.) Regt.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 27/08/1944
Service No: 311013
Additional information: Son of Peter and Annie Edge, of Coventry.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 13.
Cemetery: ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY

Skipper · #6 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:42 PM

Wow, I've crossed that bridge so many times and never new it was a crossing area in 1944. Thank you for sharing this info.

Wessex Wyvern · #7 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 09:46 PM

Here are some of the men in Vernon Cemetery, most of the dead went to St Desir I think.

Skipper · #8 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 10:05 PM

Did you put all these flowers on the graves? Most of these men died by ennemy fire while trying to cross the river in 1944. Two of them are RAF airmen who died during the battle of France and one of them is a private from 1914.

Wessex Wyvern · #9 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 10:10 PM

No Skipper, that wasn't me, it was the locals I think.
There are some Worcesters over the river in Vernonette but didn't get to see them.
We were camping up at Les Andelys in the shadow of Chateu Gaillard.
Just of interest
The 2/6th Bn Duke of Wellingtons were there in June 1940, they were ordered to advance but couldn't get across the bridge at Les Andelys as the French had built a road block on it.
As they retreated back down the bend of the Seine they were dived bombed, later the French blew the bridge.
So interest there for me for 1940 campaign and in 1944 the 15rh Scottish Div were in that area.

sommecourt · #10 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2007, 10:54 PM

Excellent photos - have yet to explore this area myself, so most interested to see these.

Otto · #11 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 01:02 AM

Nice photos Owen, the then & now is a treat.

Skipper · #12 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 06:12 AM

The flowers were possibly put there on August 25th for the 63rd anniversary. Maybe there was a ceremony for the fallen as the flowers look to be the same and could have been put there by the town hall.

Martin Bull · #13 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 07:23 AM

Excellent ! It's great to see more WW2F contributors getting into 'Then & Now'.....

Wessex Wyvern · #14 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 07:47 AM

Down the road again in Giverney Churchyard , not far from Monet's grave is this Lancaster crew.

Skipper · #15 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 09:40 PM

The story of the Maud crew of Giverny in English:

MEMORIAL of the British Aviators. - Giverny accommodation, B&B's, lodgings, hotels, restaurants, news, artists...

Wessex Wyvern · #16 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 10:32 PM

Thanks Skipper.
I couldn't read all the story on that webpage so clicked the printable version.
Giverny.fr - MEMORIAL of the British Aviators.

I see there is a postcard with The Wilts Regt badge on it.Whose 4th Bn liberated Giverney.

I was chatting on the phone awhile back to a Veteran of 5th Wilts, he was a despatch-rider with the anti-tank platoon so avoided being in the actual crossing by assault-boat.

Skipper · #17 (**permalink**) September 4th, 2007, 07:13 AM

Glad you liked the link. The original version is in French, so the translation only leads to one page at the time. Nice idea by usingthe printable version in English. If you google with the crew member names you will find many more pictures of ceremonies at Giverny and will recognise places you have been to. Unfortunately some pages are only available in French