The Worcester Branch of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association (WFRA) will be holding a ceremony on Wednesday 26 August 2026 at The Worcestershire Regimental Stone in Gheluvelt Park Worcester (WR3 7AA) commencing at 10.45am. This is to mark the Liberation of Vernon in Normandy France.Β
On the 26 August every year the citizens of VernonΒ hold remembrance services, laying flowers on the graves of Worcestershire Regiment Soldiers that are buried in the local graveyards.
Flowers are also laid at several memorials, one being dedicated to the Soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment who were killed in action and to those that served there.
The Worcestershire Regiment were part of the 43rd Wessex Division that after the closing of the Falaise Gap made a dash to the river Seine to force a surprise river crossing 'Operation Neptune' to keep the enemy on the back foot and push them out of France.
At the crossing the 5th Wiltshire Regiment suffered very heavy casualties after their smoke cover cleared and grounding in shallow water they became easy targets for the German machine gunners on the cliffs above them.
The 4th Somerset Light Infantry also came under heavy fire having got stuck before reaching the far shore.
The Worcesters were tasked with the crossing of the partly destroyed road bridge with the use of ladders.
On their first attempt they were beaten back by heavy machine gun fire from a pill box on the opposite end of the bridge.
On their second attempt they were told a bridgehead must be formed and the enemy taken out.
The Worcesters luck was in, as the pill box had been deserted. They fought their way through the village of Vernonette and on to the Tilly road where they met a fierce counter-attack that included tiger tanks.
The men who died in this part of the battle are buried in the Vernonette graveyard. That battle was hard fought with the tanks almost causing a rout but one tank was taken out with the Battalion anti-tank gun.
A second tank killed the gun crew and others, the appearance of British armour made the German tiger tank retreat.
On the heights above the road was another close quarter fought battle. Eventually the Germans were beaten back.
The French Maquis and citizens of Vernon had stopped the Germans destroying the road bridge completely with some losing their lives in the action.Β
The people of Vernon have always shown their generosity and welcome when Worcester Branch WFRA have visited in Vernon for their 26th of August ceremonies.
On the Tilly road there is a memorial to the men of the Worcestershire Regiment that is aptly named the 'Worcesters Layby' of Malvern Hills granite that was taken there by a late Worcester Branch WFRA member, Dave Plant of Malvern.
The stone with Brass plaques that were forged in Leigh Sinton was dedicated in August 2000.
Dave Plant also bedded in the Worcestershire memorial Stone in Gheluvelt Park Worcester in October 2014 ready for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt.Β
Since 2015 with the focal point of the Regimental stone in Gheluvelt Park, the 26 August and the Liberation of Vernon ceremony has been held every year since.
This year on the 26 August at 10.45am the Worcester Branch will be joined for the first time with the Attendance of Worcester Twinning Association and some French citizens of the town of Vernon and its surrounding area.
Also in attendance will be a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Mayor of Worcester and other dignitaries.
The ceremony will begin with a welcome from Ex Worcester Branch WFRA President Major (Retired) Richard Fox.
An address giving an account of the 'Worcesters action' will read out by current Branch President Lt Col (Retired) Mark Jackson OBE who is also Chair of Trustees for the Mercian Regiment in Worcestershire.
The Reverend Peter Davies County Chaplain to the Royal British Legion will lead everyone in Prayers.
There will also be wreath and flower laying as a mark of remembrance and a few speeches.
This event is open to members of the public, especially those that had relatives that served in the Normandy Campaign of 1944.
Pictured is the 2011 ceremony in France, pictured are late Worcestershire Regt Soldier Arthur Gough who fought at 'Worcesters layby' plus Branch Standards
