Armistice Day 2017

A small group representing ETA and the RBL left Eastry in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, 11 November, 2017. There were four of us: Peta Goldup, Bill Clague, John Arnold and Terry James. John had volunteered to be our driver.

We arrived in Longpré in plenty of time for the usual commemorations but first we had coffee and croissants at Patricia’s. Along with some of our French friends we then drove to the CGC cemetery just outside Longpré. We laid wreaths and bouquets on behalf of ETA, the RBL and the community of Longpré.

After the short ceremony at the cemetery, we drove back into Longpré for the commemoration service in the church. Terry was asked to read the Bible extracts in English.

Following the traditional parade around the centre of Longpré, we laid two wreaths on behalf of the RBL and ETA at the War Memorial and the Garden of Remembrance. The commemorations at an end, we repaired to the Mairie for the obligatory, and very welcome, verre d’honeur. As it was then time for lunch en famille we departed with our separate hosts.

However, it was a jolly company that came together again for some sumptuous desserts at Bernard’s. As usual, the parting was delayed for as long as possible, but we said our reluctant goodbyes in the certain knowledge that we would be meeting up with some of our French friends again the following day – Remembrance Sunday.

 René and Terry laying wreaths/bouquets at the WWI cemetery just outside Longpré.

Wreaths in front of the altar for the service in Longpré church.

Dessert at Bernard’s

Sunday 12th November

We were joined by a group of eight Longiprats for the Remembrance Sunday commemorations in Eastry. They were invited to breakfast with Sue and Ken before assembling in Church Street for the short parade to the War Memorial in Eastry churchyard. Two French standard bearers were at the front of the parade – Michel Bonneval and Michel Lafosse.

Following the Remembrance Service in St Mary’s, we repaired to The Five Bells for a traditional Sunday lunch. Our French friends are always complimentary about Sunday lunch at The Five Bells and Remembrance Sunday 2017 was no different. I think some ETA members enjoyed the occasion too.

 Our French friends at Eastry War Memorial. From left to right: Nadine, Annie, Bernard, Michel, Patricia, Louis-Jacques, Michel and Nadine.

Remembrance Sunday lunch at The Five Bells.

Clockwise from bottom left – Peta, Robin, Carol, Ray, Val, Ken, Sue and Paul.

Some members of Eastry RBL joining us for the presentations.

After a very enjoyable lunch in excellent company it was time for some presentations and members of Eastry RBL joined us for the occasion. As usual our French friends were most generous and we thanked them sincerely. For our part, we presented them with a poppy vase – the joint gift of ETA and the RBL.

Patricia with the poppy vase.

 Annie, Michel and Patricia seated in the RBL corner. The framed set of WWI medallions, presented to us last year by Max Benoit, can be seen in the background.

Of course, at last it was time for us to say our goodbyes and au revoir. We wished our French friends bon voyage and wondered if a similar exchange in 2018 could prove impractical – Remembrance Sunday 2018 is actually on 11 November.