Op Ducy - 1TS Commemoration

On 12th June 1944 the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) landed on GOLD Beach as one of the follow on Divisions of XXX Corps who would be part of the break out operations from the Normandy beachhead.

The Battalion moved to an assembly area at ESQUAY SUR SEULLES. Three days later they moved to the village of DUCY STE MARGUERITE.

The villagers of Ducy Sainte Marguerite never forgot the men of the Tyneside Scottish. They hosted returning veterans and the serving soldiers of the Tyneside Scottish Royal Artillery on may occasion.

In 1979 a memorial to the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) was unveiled at the edge if the village.

As part of the commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Normandy the villagers of Ducy Ste Marguerite invited the Tyneside Scottish Branch RAA to share in their celebrations.
 
Supported by the TS Detachments of Northumbria ACF, nearly 50 people deployed on Operation Ducy at the end of July 2014.




Main effort for the commemoration was the placement of a Roll of Honour  in the church at Ducy Ste Marguerite listing the men of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish  (Black Watch) who lost their lives in Normandy

Attending was 1TS Veteran 92 year old Brian Stewart, 2IC of the Anti-Tank Platoon, who was wounded during the Battle of Rauray 1st Jul 1944.

Supporting Brian was his son Rory Stewart MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee, and Kevin Baverstock (author of Breaking the Panzers—Story of the Battle of Rauray) 


A splendid lunch was provided in the Cider Farm prior to the main commemorative event.

Lunch at the Cider Farm

Tyneside Scottish Association and Northumbria ACF TD Detachments
Brian Stewart CMG & Rory Stewart MBE MP

Brian Stewart
2 I/C Anti Tank Platoon 1TS

The commemoration commenced with a march to the TS Memorial at the edge of the village where a remembrance ceremony was conducted followed by the laying of wreaths.

TS March to the Church at Ducy

Commemoration at 1 TS Memorial



Commemoration at 1 TS Memorial

 
The TS contingents then marched to the village church where a service was held and the Roll of Honour was dedicated. 

Church Ducy Ste Marguerite

Roll of Honour
1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch)

La dernière cérémonie du 70e anniversaire a ému

 

 

Duty completed attentions turned to renewing the friendship the people of Ducy have extended to the TS over the 70 years since their Liberation. Once again the skirl of the pipes sounded in Ducy Ste Margueritte and a fine occasion was enjoyed by all.

Pipers playing at Ducy