With July and August being the main summer holiday period. this week has been a time for planning.

I will be visiting Vernon in France, with veterans of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment Association, plus members of the Worcester Twinning Association and my cousin Betsan Allcott.

During 1944 the Resistance fighters of Vernon joined the French Forces of the Interior. With only a few weapons at their disposal their initial actions were limited.

Operation Neptune began on 25 August and the artillery of the 94th Field Regiment laid down a barrage of high explosive on the high ground of the north bank of the Seine. Tanks and mortars along the river front opened up and the 8th Middlesex Regiment were laying down a smokescreen for the assaulting troops as the 5th Wiltshires and 4th Somersets were making their move across the river in storm boats.

On 26 August the Worcestershire Regiment was given the order to cross the damaged road bridge under the cover of artillery smoke. Meeting no opposition, they were quickly followed by the Company and marching elements of the Battalion.

Due to a map reading error they met heavy opposition. By 27 August the “D” company had advanced towards Tilly. By 28 August ration parties had despatched to a rendezvous on a main road and casualties were attended to.

I am not a military expert so I would recommend the Worcestershire Regiment website for the full detail of the battle.

It is important and a real privilege to be able to attend Vernon and remember the forces from both sides. My cousin Betsan and I will also take this opportunity to remember our late relative, Harold Benjamin Allcott, a Royal Field Artillery Gunner, who was sadly lost in 1918, before this war.