The Marie / Town Hall

 After the Crossroads Memorial to Pierre Zmyslony and the F.F.I. the parade marched to the Town Hall, In the foyer there is a large plaque to the people of  Vernon who lost their lives in conflicts. this was a very moving ceremony with the Mayor of Vernon giving a detailed account of the liberation of the town. this was reciprocated with a speech in fluent French, by our Branch President, Richard Fox, with the presenting of a framed Worcestershire Regimental badge with brass inscripted plate. A letter of freindship from the Mayor of Worcester Mr David Tibbutt was also handed to the Mayor of Vernon. After the ceremony, the French party involved in the wreath laying went around and shook hands as a thankyou for attending, a nice gesture. The memory of what happened and how the French people of Vernon suffered is still quite raw for some, as a gentleman from Vernon came up to me to tell me how he lost his two elder brothers in the conflict with the German occupiers, he is still very affected by this. We all felt for the people of vernon and their suffering. After we had refreshments in a room on the next floor up. where we had the chance for a talk with and the opportunity to exchange badges with our French friends.