With Victor Urch in Colleville-Montgomery. It’s always wonderful to reunite with the veterans following the ceremonies. Colleville-Montgomery, Normandy, France.
After the Spirit of Normandy Trust’s ceremony at Colleville-Montgomery, a seaside town named after General Montgomery. Colleville-Montgomery, Normandy, France.
Singing at the Glider Stones by Pegasus Bridge for the 2nd Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Sixteen minutes into D-Day, five gliders landed in this small field by the Caen Canal. The sixth missed its target. All six gliders are commemorated by the stones. Ranville, Normandy, France.
With Susan Patton, descendant of General Patton, just before the ceremony at the ABMC US cemetery in Colleville sur Mer. Normandy, France.
Singing for the Native American ceremony at the US ceremony in Colleville sur Mer. Many Native Americans volunteered to fight in the Second World War, even though they had few rights in the U.S. The ceremony combined Christian and Native American traditions. Veteran Charles Shay of the Penobscot Tribe was present. He was a medic who landed on Omaha Beach. Colleville sur Mer, Normandy, France.
The RAF Second Tactical Air force landed on Omaha Beach on 6th June, 1944, to provide ground-controlled radar protection for the American troops landing on Omaha Beach. Vierville sur Mer had one of the few roads in land. Other troops landing on Omaha Beach had to scale cliffs. Vierville sur Mer, Normandy, France.
Singing for the parade in Carentan, with members of the cast of Band of Brothers who were visiting Normandy to meet D-Day veterans. Carentan was strategically vital for securing the landing points at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach and moving inland. Carentan, Normandy, France.
With Commando Patrick Churchill at Vierville sur Mer, a pretty village overlooking Omaha Beach. Patrick landed on June Beach Normandy in 1944. He looked contemplative as he stared out to sea. Vierville sur Mer, Normandy, France.
Singing for British veterans in Heteren, the Netherlands, on Dutch Remembrance Day, 4th May, 2018. The veterans were traveling with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
With Glider Pilot Frank Ashleigh at Oosterbeek Cemetery, the Netherlands. Frank and his fellow pilot, Bernard Cummins, were separated after they landed their glider. Frank spent four days sheltering in the organ loft of St. Bernulphus Church before he was taken prisoner of war. On that same day, Cummins was killed. He is buried at Oosterbeek, and Frank visits his grave as often as he can. He said that until they were separated, he and Bernard had done everything together in the war – everything except flirting, because Bernard was married. Photograph: Dick Goodwin
Whilst may people associate paratroopers with Operation Market Garden, it was actually gliders that did the bulk of the work, transporting service men, tanks, jeeps, guns – all that was needed for the war effort. Paratroopers were sent in to prepare the ground for the gliders. Made of wood and canvas, a glider was only used once. After landing, the tail was removed in order to take out the cargo. This has given rise to the rumour that they crash-landed, but in fact crash landing were rare. This was told to me by Glider Pilot Frank Ashleigh as we walked in Oosterbeek Cemetery. Photograph: Dick Goodwin
With Commando No. 4 Roy Maxwell at Oosterbeek Cemetery, the Netherlands. Over 1,600 service men are buried at the cemetery, 244 of whom are unidentified. They participated in Operation Market Garden, an attempt to regain territory from the Third Reich. Roy was traveling on a tour organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. On Dutch Remembrance Day, 4th May, 2018, they visited the cemetery. The glider pilot veterans laid wreaths and Emma sang “Abide with Me.”
Photograph: Dick Goodwin
Singing during the 30,011th Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. Lieutenant Colonel Christophe Onraet, Military Commander of West Flanders, lays a wreath to commemorate the Tanks Regiment.
“Nearer My God to Thee”
Words: Sarah Flower Adams, music: “Bethany” Lowell Mason
15th April, 2018
To mark the centenary of the Fourth Battle of Ypres, a service was held at St. George’s Memorial Church, Ypres. St. George’s was designed by Reginald Blom, who also designed the Menin Gate. The service focused on commemorating the members of the Tank Corps.
“Only Remembered,” Horatius Bonar and Stephen Quigg
Singing during the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient commemorations for members of the Tank Corps who fought and fell during the Battle of the Lys (1918). The Royal Tank Regiment was formed in 1916. On the Western Front, tanks were vulnerable in the muddy conditions. Members of the Tank Corps often fought alongside infantry. A ceremony was held at their memorial in Poelkapelle, Belgium. Photograph: Eric Compernolle 15th April, 2018
The wall of remembrance at the Wellington Tunnels lists the regiments and the battalions which fought during the Battle of Arras (1917). 24,000 men sheltered for 8 days in the tunnels before the Battle of Arras. The battle, which last 37 days, had the highest number of casualties anywhere on the Western Front with an average of one casualty every 20 seconds.
With Carl Liversage, CWGC.
9th April, 2018, Arras, France
Photograph: Eric Compernolle
Amazing Grace during the commemorations of the Battle of Arras at the Wellington Tunnels (Carriére Wellington), Arras.
Singing for the commemorations of the Battle of Arras (1917) at Carrière Wellington / the Wellington Tunnels. The total casualties was over 300,000.
9th April, 2018, Arras, France
Photograph: Eric Compernolle
The Last Post ceremony in the Menin Gate on 11th November, 2017. Over 54,000 British and Commonwealth missing from the Battles of Ypres are commemorated on the monument. Emma sang “O Valiant Hearts” and “Abide with Me” during the evening ceremony.
Tyne Cot is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery, with over 12,000 burials and 35,000 missing soldiers, including the names which did not fit on the Menin Gate. Emma sang “Pokarakare Ana” for the New Zealanders and “Abide with Me” in the presence of the Ambassadors of France, Germany, and Great Britain on Remembrance Day 2017.
Photograph: Gregory Verfaille
The Island of Ireland Peace Park commemorates the Irish who died and went missing during the First World War. It is also a symbol of peace between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, since it was opened by both HM Queen Elizabeth II and President McAleese and it displays a peace pledge. Emma sang “Londonderry Air” (above) and “Abide with Me” during the Remembrance Day ceremony.
The monument at Black Watch Corner commemorates the members of the Black Watch who perished in the first Battle of Ypres. More than 8,960 Black Watch officers and solders were killed during the First World War and a further 20,000 were wounded. During a beautiful ceremony attended by current members of the Black Watch, Emma sang “Eriskey Love Lilt” (featured), and “Going Home.”
Photo: Eric Compernolle
579 casualties from the First World War are buried at CWGC Messines Ridge, Belgium, and a further 828 missing are commemorated on the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing. Emma sang Pokarekare Ana on Remembrance Day, 2017.
Photograph: Sandy Evrard
A ceremony was held in the town square in Passchendaele, Belgium, to commemorate those who fought during the First World War. The Act of Remembrance was read in English, Flemmish, French, and Ojibwe, the language of the Native Indians. Emma sang “Requiem for a Soldier.” Photo: Eric Compernolle
https://globalnews.ca/video/3855891/shocking-revelations-in-lost-war-diaries
On 10th November a ceremony was held at Crest Farm Canadian Memorial Park in Passchendaele, Belgium, to commemorate the Canadian soldiers who fought to liberate Passchendaele during the First World War. Among those present were the great grandchildren of Francis Pegamagabow, the most decorated Native Indian to fight in World War One, the Canadian Ambassador to Belgium, and representatives from the Canadian government.
Photo: Eric Compernolle
On 10th November Emma sang in a prom concert in Passchendale for the Canadian Remembrance ceremonies, together with folksinger Alan Brydon, The Swigshift, Harmonie St. Cecelia Beselare, and Field Marshal Haig’s Own Pipes & Drums, in the presence of the Canadian Ambassador to Belgium Olivier Nicoloff, the Belgian Minister of Defense, and other representatives.
Photo: Gregory Verfaille
Corporal John Sleep, who fought in Algiers, Italy, and Normandy before marching to Venray, the Netherlands, was asked in 2016 to make a short documentary about his involvement in the Second World War. Emma was invited to sing at the presentation of the documentary. It is available on YouTube via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDsyDrpQ-3E
In 1944, the allied forces reentered the Netherlands after four years of Nazi occupation. They found people starving. Each year in September, the town of Venray holds a remembrance ceremony in the CWGC graveyard to commemorate those who perished. Veterans also attend and hand out chocolate to the children of the town as they did in 1944. Emma sang “Amaing Grace” during this moving ceremony.
On 12th September, Emma sang for the remembrance ceremony of Stichting Nederland-America in the ABMC cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands, to commemorate those who participated in the Second World War. She sang “Abide with Me” and “How Great thou Art.”
Singing “How Great Thou Art” for American, Dutch, Canadian, and British World War Two Veterans at the ABMC cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands, commemorating the Second World War. There are over 8,000 burials at the imposing Margraten war cemetery.
To mark one hundred years to the minute since the start of the Battle of Passchendaele, at 05:50 CET on 31st July, 2017, a World War One cannon was fired at the Welsh Memorial in Langemark, Belgium. Emma sang as part of the Remembrance ceremony, which was broadcast on Belgian television and filmed by BBC Cymru. Photograph: Will Vickery
A First World War canon is fired in Passchendaele, Belgium, 100 years to the minute since the beginning of the Battle of Passchendaele.
An intimate ceremony at CWGC Artillery Wood, Belgium, with the Welsh Guards Pilgrims to honour the memory of 3313 Thomas. His granddaughter was present to lay a wreath on his grave. This was during the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele. Photograph: Liz Millward
O Valiant Hearts, Poem: Sir John Stanhope Arkwright, Music: Rev. Dr. Charles Harris, with the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Air Force, Conductor Captain Matty Cilissen
During this song, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission let 20,000 poppy petals flutter down from the gate.
Singing for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the ninetieth anniversary of the Menin Gate, a memorial to over 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who have no known grave. Lord Plumber said in 1927 when the gate was unveiled “now it can be said of each one in whose honour we are assembled here
today: ‘He is not missing; he is here.’” Here is a link to one of the songs Emma sung. Photo: CWGC
A setting of John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson, arranged for the Royal Belgian Airforce Orchestra by Deputy Conductor Dominique Lecomte. From the ninetieth anniversary of the Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission Menin Gate.
Singing during the Royal British Legion’s Ceremony of Remembrance at the Thiepval Memorial, 1st July, 2017, 101 years after the Battle of the Somme.
“Blow the Wind Southerly” during the Royal British Legion’s Ceremony of Remembrance for those who fought in the Battle of the Somme.
Singing “Abide with Me” during a ceremony led by Dame Patricia Hawkins-Windsor MBE at the Ulster Tower, France, to commemorate those who served in the Battle of the Somme. On the first day of the battle of the Somme alone, over 4,900 men and officers of the 36th Ulster Division were wounded or lost their lives. 1st July, 2017.
Singing for Leiden’s Veterans’ Day, the Netherlands. Mr. Paul Moerman was a Grenadier Guard during the Second World War. He celebrated his one-hundredth birthday last December. 23rd June, 2017.
Alan Richardson, a retired police officer and the father of a dear friend, Robert Richardson, who attended Emma’s Royal British Legion Concert in Nantwich, England. Also present at the concert were the Mayor of Cheshire East, Arthur Moran, the chairman of the Nantwich and District Royal British Legion, John Dwyer. Here is a link to a video of “Calon Lân.” 24th June, 2017.
The Ladies of the Women’s Institute join Emma to sing “Jerusalem” during a Royal British Legion concert in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Nantwich, England. With the Band and Drums of the Cheshire Constabulary and conductor David Woollam. 24th June, 2017.
Paratrooper Tom Schaffer requested “Ae Fond Kiss” at Merville Battery, France. 7th June, 2017.
A film of veteran Danny McCrudden singing to Emma.
Veteran Danny McCrudden serenades Emma in a spontaneous concert at Merville Battery, France. This was such a precious and memorable moment. 7th June, 2017.
With veteran Fred Harris at the Taxi Charity lunch at Merville Battery, France. 7th June, 2017.
A wonderful chance meeting with D-Day veteran Victor Urch outside the Pegasus Bridge Museum, Ranville, France. 7th June, 2017.
With Airborne veteran Ronald Johnson, who fought at Arnhem, the Netherlands. At Merville-Battery in Normandy, France. 7th June, 2017.
With veteran Len Fox, a fellow singer. Emma handed over the microphone to him during the sing-along following the service in Arromanches. His “We’ll meet again” was super! 6th June, 2017.
With the Merchant Navy Association in Arromanches, Normandy, France. Veteran Tony Cash laid the wreath during the ceremony on the square, during which Emma led the hymns, the anthems, and a sing-along. 6th June, 2017.
“I vow to thee my country” during the Royal British Legion’s Ceremony of Remembrance in Bayeux Cathedral, France, on D-Day 2017.
Singing “I vow to thee my country” at Bayeux Cathedral, France, for the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance. The Rt Hon Lord Edward Llewellyn OBE PC read the lesson. The Revd. Patrick Irwin said in his sermon that we could regard D-Day as a mosaic: whilst we today can see the whole picture, each soldier’s story forms a single stone.
6th June, 2017. Photograph: Royal British Legion
The Midnight Ceremony at Pegasus Bridge. Emma sang “I vow to thee my country” and “Amazing Grace” a capella in the pouring rain. We listened to a recording of Major Howard describing the glider landings. The courage of the airborne division in June, 1944 was astounding. 5th-6th June, 2017.
With paratrooper John Sleep at the concert of the Massed Band of Pegasus Bridge, Bénouville, France. Mr. Sleep trained as a paratrooper but arrived at his missions by sea. He landed on Sword Beach during D-Day. 5th June, 2017.
With veterans of the 52nd Group Oxford and Bucks Regiment: George Talbot, Reginald Charles, and Cecil Jeffcoate, at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, France. 5th June, 2017.
Singing a capella for the ceremony at “The Stones” at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, France. Each stone represents a glider which landed on the night of 5th/6th June 1944. With Brigadier David Innes OBE and Penny Howard Bates. 5th June, 2017.
Veteran Victor McKenzie reads the Act of Remembrance under Montgomery’s statue at Colleville-Montgomery. Here is a film of Emma singing Amazing Grace during the ceremony. 4th June, 2017.
The ceremony at Jerusalem cemetery in Chouain, France, where forty-seven soldiers who perished during D-Day are buried. They were supposed to be buried in the larger cemetery at Bayeux but the people of the village insisted they stay in Chouain. A comrade, who died later, is said to be buried in an unmarked grave to be close to his companions. 3rd June, 2017.
Leading the National Anthems at the Normandy Veterans’ Association ceremony in Chouain, France, at the monument for those killed by “friendly” fire during D-Day. 3rd June, 2017.
With HRH Prince Jaime Bernardo of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi (left) and Retired Major-General Rudi Hemmes (middle) at the reunion of the Royal Guards Regiment of Fusiliers ‘Princess Irene,’ Oirschot, the Netherlands.
Retired Major-General Rudi Hemmes fought in Normandy on D-day and marched with the Princess Irene Brigade over Pegasus Bridge in 1944. He then participated in the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945.
With Retired General van der Vlis at the Dutch Remembrance Ceremony on 4th May in Leiden, the Netherlands. Fifty-one soldiers perished defending the bridge and airfield nearby. The Mayors of Leiden, Oegstgeest, and Oxford, and veterans, families of veterans, and civilians laid wreaths to show their respect. Emma sang during the ceremony and led the ‘Wilhelmus.’
Singing at ANZAC Day, 2017, in Ockenburg Commonwealth War cemetery in The Hague, the Netherlands. Eighty-seven soliders, sailors, and airmen are buried there. Among those present were the ambassadors of New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Arrival at the Menin Gate, 10th November, 2016, for the Last Post ceremony on the eve of Remembrance Day.
Marching into Tyne Cot military cemetery, Ypres. With the West Yorkshire Police Band. Photographer: Eric Compernolle
“Be yourself, be good, and tell it.” Lieutenant General “Ted” Meines, 1921-2016. Meines rescued thousands of Jewish children during the Second World War and helped establish a tradition of honouring and remembering Dutch Veterans. Emma had the honour of singing at his 95th birthday in 2016.
With Corporal John Sleep (parachute regiment) at Bayeux Cemetery. He told me the war was “so stupid, so pointless.” Corporal John Sleep served with the 3rd Parachute Brigade. After D-day, he marched through France, Belgium and the Netherlands as each country was liberated.
With Henry Montgomery (left), grandson of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, and Richard Palusinski (right), chairman of The Spirit of Normandy Trust. Jerusalem Cemetery, Normandy, France.
With Karin Churchill, a German nurse and the wife of D-Day veteran Commando Patrick Churchill. Her family suffered during the air raids and after the war she helped with the reconstruction of Dresden. She then moved to England to train as a nurse.
The parade from Bayeux Cathedral to Bayeux cemetery on 6th June, 2016 (D-day). With the Band of Liberation.
With Victor Mackenzie, a D-day veteran, in Jerusalem Cemetery, Normandy. He was twenty when he fought.
This gentleman has visited the grave of his colonel every year since the end of the second world war. At Bayeux cemetery, Normandy, France.
Celebrating with Chelsea Pensioners after the Belfast Tattoo. Belfast, Northern Ireland, September 2016.
In concert with the Royal Netherlands Airforce Choir.
Singing at the Royal British Legion D-day Remembrance Service in Bayeux Cathedral on 6th June, 2015.
