Achiet-le-Grand during WW1

I wanted as well honor the memory of the aviators ( RFC, RNAS, RAF ) buried in Achiet cemetery.

I contacted the air force cadets which responded to my suggestion to come to Achiet-le-Grand on the 11th November to commemorate these men.

 

The hertz&bucks wing cadets was chosen and on the 11th November 2006 they attended at the ceremony at Achiet.                          

                                                                                                  

                                                                                Herts & Bucks Wing    

 

We started the ceremony at 10 Am at the military cemetery then we had the traditional ceremony at the French monument in the village. Later everyone walked toward the “Salle des fêtes” for a drink and  discovered a photographic exhibition owned by the ONAC “national office of old combatants”, the equivalent of the Royal British Legion.

It was a very emotional ceremony, especially when a cadet read out all the names of the air force casualties.

On the 11th November 2007, I invited the cadets to come and they accepted.

 

RAF cadets at Achiet-le-Grand

AC article

The service was conducted by REV. Paul T Wilcock Force Chaplain coordinator who joined the Somme Remembrance Association.