June 6, 2004 60th Anniversary of D Day Celebrations
Lloyd Berryman with Charlie Fox and Barry Needham Trip to France courtesy of Veterans Affairs
First Ottawa……
“Barry had not yet arrived when I finally turned out the lights. However, a banging on the hotel door, brought me to fling it open, to have my old friend Barry Needham standing there in person.
We had much to talk about, not the least of which was the experience we shared just getting to Ottawa. I threw on some clothes to gain entry to the hotel bar so we could continue our reunion; however it had closed an hour earlier.
Not to be so easily defeated we ventured up the main street of Ottawa to a piano bar. It was about to close but when the owner learned we were on hand as Veterans going to Normandy for the 60th anniversary celebrations of D-Day, he kept it open for an extended period and joined our discussion. Barry and I didn't know then of the incredible experience that lay ahead.”
Battle Honours Royal Canadian Air Force - Squadron 412
“Canadian Veterans were paraded in style in World War Two vintage vehicles supplied by Dutch hobby restorers.
The day got underway with another 6 a.m. wake-up call which commenced a week of arduous, and for the best part joyful, commemorations to honour the anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
The first scheduled event was a parade of Veterans representing the Canadian military at Saint Aubin-sur-Mer, a small community situated on the eastern end of Juno Beach. The assembly area for all those participating in the parade was a mile or so outside the town. At this mustering point there were a large number of World War Two era transport vehicles parked aside the road. Much to our surprise we learned that the Veterans would ride into Saint Aubin in style aboard these lovingly restored jeeps and trucks.
I climbed aboard with my two buddies, F/L Charley Fox DFC and Bar, from London, Ontario, and F/L Barry Needham from Wynyard, Saskatchewan, and joined three army Veterans as we entered the town to a wonderful surprise.
As we reached the outskirts of St. Aubin, it became clear the entire community was determined to make us welcome. The joyous, enthusiastic, wildly cheering citizens were unbelievably boisterous and friendly. Almost every home we passed was flying a Canadian flag and every youngster in St. Aubin was waving our red Maple Leaf obviously enjoying the opportunity to let Canadians know how much they are appreciated.
The experience was certainly more than we anticipated and yet there was more. As we arrived at the beachhead itself, a large group was awaiting our arrival together with the mayor and officials from the town. Another assembly of young people were anxious to demonstrate their vocal talent by singing a selection of tunes which they obviously had been practising for some time.
The Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, arrived and very eloquently expressed the appreciation of all Veterans to the townspeople.
To commemorate the occasion the mayor insisted on meeting every Canadian in attendance and presenting a very special medal. For me the entire affair was beyond belief and I could hardly wait for the opportunity to shake hands with as many youngsters as possible and to give each of them a little Canadian flag pin to remember us by.
Our buses arrived for our return to Deauville and it became apparent the residents were aware of our timetable for they were very much in evidence to bid us farewell as we passed through St. Aubin.
The vehicles were provided by a group of Dutch hobbyists who restore and maintain a complete fleet of jeeps and trucks for these types of special occasions.’
*For complete story search Lloyd Berryman Return to Normandy
Barry flew over with Veterans Affairs. Bored with the ceremony Barry managed with his great luck to end up at the tarmac where Adrienne Clarkson’s (Governor General at the time) Challenger from 412 Squadron was waiting. The Captain, Chris Strawson met Barry that day and learned of some of his war time adventures. Originally from Rose Valley, Strawson admitted to feeling reluctant at the prospect of flying a Wynyard resident around in his plane – given that Rose Valley and Wynyard were intense hockey rivals when he was growing up. Strawson got over his reluctance, flew Barry over the site where he had bailed out in 1944 and since then has formed a close bond with the World War II veteran.
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