CONTALMAISON 10 YEARS ON
13th May 2010

On 9^th July 2000 The Friends of The Green Howards Museum erected and dedicated a memorial to Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell VC in Contalmaison, who died in the Battle of the Somme on 10^th July 1916. Donald Bell is the only English professional footballer to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

On the weekend 10^th – 12^th September 2010 the Friends will again visit Bell’s Redoubt to mark the tenth anniversary of the dedication ceremony, and the sacrifice he and other Green Howards made in the battle.

The principal event is the service at Bell’s Redoubt on Saturday 11 September. The service will be conducted by the Rev’d Clive Artley. The President of the Friends, Major General A P Farquhar CBE, a member of the Bell Family and the Mayor of Contalmaison will lay wreaths during the ceremony.

Buglers from the Yorkshire Corps of Drums, Pete McCarthy and Bob Playforth, will sound Last Post and Reveille and the GHA Regimental Standard will be carried by Ray Gascoigne.

This will be followed by a Vin d’honneur and buffet lunch in the Salle de Fete in Contalmaison. Over the weekend wreaths will be laid at other local cemeteries, including Gordon Dump where Donald Bell’s official war grave is located.

Weekend programme

Saturday 11 September

11.00 – Ceremony at Bell’s Redoubt (Please park near Contalmaison Church and follow the  signs to Bell’s Redoubt)

12.00 – Wreath laying at Contalmaison Church

12.30 – Wreath laying at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery

13.00 – Vin d’Honneur followed by buffet lunch

15.15 – Wreath laying at Gordon Dump

19.30    – Dinner in Hotel de la Paix, Albert

Sunday 12 September

10.00 – Wreath laying at Fricourt Cemetery

11.00 - Wreath laying at Norfolk Cemetery

12.30 – Visit Lochnagar Crater. Informal lunch in La Boiselle

14.00 – Optional visits to Thiepval Visitor Centre, The Basilica Museum in Albert, Beaumont Hamel Memorial Park and Museum

The programme includes various social events, namely:

Saturday 11 September

·         Buffet Lunch, following the Vin d’honneur in the Salle de Fete, kindly sponsored by The Friends of the Green Howards Museum.

·         Dinner in Hotel de la Paix, Albert, at 19.30 hours. Cost 36 Euros.

Sunday 12 September

Lunch in La Boiselle. Cost 6 Euros.

How do I book in and pay for these events?

Please let us know of your intention to attend the weekend, including the social events, by 1 August 2010, by contacting:

·         David Nicholson. david@jennings-nicholson.co.uk. Telephone 01904 629210,

·         Roger Chapman. rchap7139@aol.com. Telephone 01765 658840

Having booked in for the social occasions please be prepared to pay ‘at the door’.

Where can I stay?

For a list of hotels and B&Bs in the Albert area, with a local area map, please contact David Nicholson.

Travel

Those intending to come on the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry are advised to travel overnight on Thursday 9 September. You can reach the booking office on telephone 08718 900 900 or on line at www.ferryonline.eu.

Dress code

The dress code for the various ceremonies is lounge suit or Regimental blazer, with medals.

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