11th Armoured Division Memorial
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The British 11th Armoured Division fought throughout the campaign in North Western Europe from 1944 to 1945. During the campaign, 1.899 of her soldiers gave their lives for the cause of freedom, with nearly 950 falling in the battles in Normandy. In the accounts of the Normandy battles given in the published history of the Division, "Taurus Pursuant," one finds a reference to the liberation of Flers on 16th August 1944, the first town, as opposed to a village, which the Division had freed. The action which resulted in the freeing of the town took place on the northern outskirts at the village of St. Georges des Groseillers.
In May 1970, many ex-members of the Division were invited to Flers to participate in celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Europe. The town of Flers never forgot the Division's sacrifice and expressed a wish to preserve the memory of the Division and the soldiers who were killed during the North-Western European campaign. This wish led to the creation of a permanent memorial at St. Georges des Groseillers.
The Old Comrades of the Division readily participated with Flers and St. Georges des Groseillers in this endeavor. A small committee, under the chairmanship of Major Bill Close M.C., ex 3rd R.T.R., was set up to handle the project. It was agreed that the unveiling ceremony would be held on Sunday, 9th June 1974. During that weekend, families in Flers accommodated as many Old Comrades and their wives as possible, although the facilities were limited to 400 Old Comrades plus their wives (800 in total). Arrangements were also made for the Cambrai Staff Band and a contingent from the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment to attend.
The memorial was unveiled on 9th June 1974 by the Division's Commander, Major General G.P.B. Roberts C.B., D.S.O., M.C., P., with the inscription: "In grateful memory of the Soldiers of the 11th Armoured Division who gave their lives in Normandy and elsewhere in North-West Europe in 1944-1945". This opportunity to perpetuate the name and memory of the Division and to honor their fallen comrades was a fitting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
General Roberts Words
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen. May I thank you Mr. Mayor, for the kind things you have said about us, and applaud the high ideals which have engendered this whole enterprise. We, on our part, are deeply grateful for your recognition of our sacrifices, which have been made in the true spirit of devotion to a great cause.
You have already arranged the "twinning" of Flers and Warminster; you have done us the honour of naming a street after our Division, and now we have witnessed the completion of a memorial to the Division. The initiative for this came from Flers and the majority of the money came from Flers. Our gratitude comes from the very bottom of our hearts. wish we could have contributed more, but you will appreciate that 11th Armoured Division no longer exists and its surviving members are widely spread over the whole of the British Isles and even further afield.
In May 1970, many ex-members of the Division were invited to Flers to participate in celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Europe. The town of Flers never forgot the Division's sacrifice and expressed a wish to preserve the memory of the Division and the soldiers who were killed during the North-Western European campaign. This wish led to the creation of a permanent memorial at St. Georges des Groseillers.
The Old Comrades of the Division readily participated with Flers and St. Georges des Groseillers in this endeavor. A small committee, under the chairmanship of Major Bill Close M.C., ex 3rd R.T.R., was set up to handle the project. It was agreed that the unveiling ceremony would be held on Sunday, 9th June 1974. During that weekend, families in Flers accommodated as many Old Comrades and their wives as possible, although the facilities were limited to 400 Old Comrades plus their wives (800 in total). Arrangements were also made for the Cambrai Staff Band and a contingent from the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment to attend.
The memorial was unveiled on 9th June 1974 by the Division's Commander, Major General G.P.B. Roberts C.B., D.S.O., M.C., P., with the inscription: "In grateful memory of the Soldiers of the 11th Armoured Division who gave their lives in Normandy and elsewhere in North-West Europe in 1944-1945". This opportunity to perpetuate the name and memory of the Division and to honor their fallen comrades was a fitting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
General Roberts Words
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen. May I thank you Mr. Mayor, for the kind things you have said about us, and applaud the high ideals which have engendered this whole enterprise. We, on our part, are deeply grateful for your recognition of our sacrifices, which have been made in the true spirit of devotion to a great cause.
You have already arranged the "twinning" of Flers and Warminster; you have done us the honour of naming a street after our Division, and now we have witnessed the completion of a memorial to the Division. The initiative for this came from Flers and the majority of the money came from Flers. Our gratitude comes from the very bottom of our hearts. wish we could have contributed more, but you will appreciate that 11th Armoured Division no longer exists and its surviving members are widely spread over the whole of the British Isles and even further afield.
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Where is it happening?
Lieu-dit Le Pont de Vère, 61100 Saint-Georges-des-Groseillers, France, Caen, France
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherMusée de La Percée du Bocage
