2007 The Shelburn Freedom Trail - R Stanton
The team of ten ELMS members started at Beg an Fry, where two wreaths were laid on the memorial to MGB 302. The ELMS wreath and a Royal Navy wreath dedicated to A/B Sandills who was serving on MGB 302, and died on a pick-up to the area on the night of 15/16 April 1944 as a result of enemy action. The trail then followed the cliff paths and beaches for four days before finishing at a large memorial event at the Shelburn Memorial above Bonaparte Beach. The route was very rugged, followed cliff tops, beaches, and forest areas. Day one was the longest, with the mileage dropping each day. On the final day we were joined by French walkers.
Our backup team, organised by member Christopher Long in his 110 Land Rover, did an excellent job of leap-frogging in front of the walkers and waiting where the route crossed the road in case we had difficulties.
A large memorial event was organised at the finish by M. Jean-Claude Le-Guen, the Mayor of Plouha, at the Shelburn Memorial. An emotional speech was made by M. Trehious, wreaths were laid, National anthems played, and the parade was witnessed by about 150 people. I was privileged to be asked to lay the main flower wreath, together with a key organiser of Shelburn, M. Jean Trehious. Mme Anne Ropers, a main courier on the line, raised the Union Jack, one of four standards around the memorial. The ELMS wreath was laid by Mme Andree Dumont (Nadine) and Ray Worrall. The MGB/MTB wreath was laid by our RN representative Charles Milner, together with the daughter of Hayward Rockwood [who had been left behind during a pick-up at Plouha on the night of 16 June 1944. Their small fol boat could not return to the MTB due to rough seas.] Charles also represented his MTB718. ELMS member Fred Greyer laid an ELMS wreath in memory of his father and members of the Possum line who are also commemorated on the memorial.
After the ceremony, everyone returned to the Town Hall where speeches were made. An ELMS plaque was presented to the Mayor, together with a ‘Shelburn Trail Visitors Book’. Once again Christopher Long came to the rescue by translating my short speech. Many people had gathered at the Town Hall, including many helpers of the Shelburn Line. It was explained that our Memorial Trails are walked to raise awareness of the help and support courageously given to allied servicemen, by the brave men and women of the escape lines in WW2, and donations and sponsorship, raised by the Society on the walks, is used to assist those former helpers who are now in need themselves – a small recognition, in light of the dangers, hardships, and horrors that the ‘helpers’ and their families endured in order to return allied servicemen back to the UK in order to continue the common fight for freedom.
I would like to thank all team members who assisted with planning and co-ordination, those who walked the rugged coastline, and the veterans who made every effort to get to the various RV locations [which was not easy] to support the walkers.
The trail was a success. The route simply follows the rugged Brittany coast line between MGB / MTB pickup points, and no significant height is gained along the route. Walkers are easily able to withdraw from the route at any time if they find difficulty. The accommodation and meals were excellent and at a very reasonable cost. ELMS, and its objectives, have a lot of support in the area.