WW2 reenactors raise over £1000 for wounded Heroes.

Despite weather reminiscent of that experienced by the troops landing on the D-Day beaches 66 years ago, a group of reenactors from Brixham Battery Heritage Group marched in full WW2 uniforms from Torcross to Dartmouth; raising over £1000 for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association, BLESMA.

The ‘Exercise Tiger commemorative charity weekend’ started on Friday evening with a 1940s party at the George Inn, Blackawton; deep inside the WW2 UK Battle Training Area.

Decked in bunting and flags, this country pub looked every bit like a VE Day party. Customers wore period civilian and military clothing, danced to the sounds of the 1940s and feasted on a special ‘wartime menu’ of Spam and mash; raising over £100 for BLESMA.

The next morning, the reenactors set off from the Sherman Tank Memorial at Torcross in high winds and rain, similar to that faced by troops crossing the Channel during the D-Day invasion of Normandy some 66 years previously.

Within a few minutes the rain soaked through the cotton uniforms worn by the team and by the GIs during the ill-fated Exercise Tiger operation all those years ago. Twelve painful miles later, the narrow streets of Dartmouth echoed to the sounds of marching GIs once more, as the team entered the town. The first time this sound was heard since the summer of ’44.

Boarding the Greenway Ferry WW2 Heritage Boat, ‘Fairmile’, the group then set sail on the ‘Exercise Tiger Cruise’, taking a seaward journey along the coast back to Torcross.

Event organiser Ade Pitman said; "It was a truly unique experience to be on board the Fairmile, itself a WW2 Veteran, while our small team did our best to commemorate the events that took place around Slapton and the South Hams during WW2".

The team stayed on board the Fairmile for its return journey to Brixham, finishing their commemorative march to a large welcoming crowd and hard earned refreshments, provided by the British Legion, at the D-Day memorial on the WW2 landing craft ramps at Breakwater.

Ade Pitman, said; "This year’s event was even more successful than the previous one, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped to make this event possible; especially the George Inn, Greenway Ferry, Devon & Cornwall Police, and Brixham British Legion. I’d also like to thank everyone who has kindly sponsored the team".