Britain's Honored Dead at Normandy | History Traveler Episode 193

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@andynjw1163]

Have you ever thought of visiting Aldbourne or upottery in UK where Dick winters trained. I remember watching a video when he returned he visited the place he stayed and the graves of the couple who owned the house he stayed in.

[@marcuswardle3180]

If ever in England you should visit Brookwood American Cemetry. There are a number of first and Second World War soldiers buried there. Every year on the Sunday closest to the 11th November there is a commemoration service attended by the United States Ambassador.

[@stephaneeternelle-vie4664]

Did you saw any French Canadian (Quebecois ) buried in those cemetery ? Thanks you and again great videos.

[@English.Andy1]

As a Brit, may I say God bless this generation that fought me, the freedoms I take for granted today. God bless all the Allies & may you rest in peace. Excellent video thank you so much for doing us proud in remembering.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇬🇧

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Very well said! God bless them all.

[@navydoc6889]

To my British and Canadian friends, and others I might have missed, as an American, my hat is off to you, and I salute you! You kept our left and right flanks secured and in doing so paid a heavy price. God Bless all of you!

[@marklittle8805]

JD, all the Canadian, Commonwealth and British fans of your shows thank you. There is more to winning WW2 than the Band of Brothers and the US Army

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely. Thank you.

[@BARGEWALK]

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do a fantastic job of maintaining sites like these all over the world. Glad you had Mr Wodadge there to add context. Very good video

[@safety86]

I've never been to a Commonwealth cemetery in Normandy. Thank you for honoring these brave soldiers.

[@davidmathie8360]

Visited many of these cemeteries throughout Normandy and Picardy. Never fails to move me. So many were so young who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our tomorrows. RIP.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Completely agree.

[@oregonoutback7779]

The headstones with gardens below is a very nice touch.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, I loved that. Lots of maintenance.

[@colinbryant5598]

I admire the respect that you have for your countrymen and also for my countrymen. War is terrible and I appreciate your equanimity for brothers in arms.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you.

[@Prellium]

I've been loving your Normandy videos. My Grandad landed at Normandy but not on D-Day, he landed on or around June 22nd 1944 with the 5th/7th Hampshires as part of Market Garden. He ended up in Nijmegen. Up until his death he would visit Holland each year and as is the way with WW2 soldiers he would meet up with German soldiers and talk about the battles. The also had a tradition that they did from the 1970s until about 2012 where they would give a German helmet back and forth. So one year my Grandad would have the helmet and the following year he would pass it to a German soldier who kept it for a year then passed it back. I still miss him and I'm forever grateful for what he and millions of young people did fighting so that we could be free from tyrants. We will remember them.

[@garywebber9289]

So respectful of all the fallen soldiers. Thank you again

[@VictorySpeedway]

You could spend a day reading the epitaphs, and shedding more than a few tears. The Battle of Normandy Museum (right across the street) is one of the best in Normandy. Well worth an extended visit. Thanks for these videos. For an amateur WWII historian, they're platinum.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jakebrowncollection1772]

The older British gentleman buried you showed are from the merchant Navy they generally would be older as they were experienced seamen and also technically civilians. They did the convoy work and things of that nature. Absolute bravery

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that extra info. Thanks.

[@moodyb2]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I was just about to post the same information (i'd turned my phone back on again to do it). Merchant Navy ships were designated "S.S. such and such" rather than "H.M.S. whatever". The Merchant Navy were supply ships and made up the transatlantic convoys that kept Britain fed and armed during the darkest days of the war. This gentleman was 15 years old when he sailed for Normandy in a Merchant Navy ship to support the invasion- he wrote about it in this song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqS5goCcra6ZodU

[@TheChickenLine]

Exactly! I was thrown, when he suggested that Britain was becoming desperate…

[@warden330]

The Merchant Navy as it was known had a very high rate of casualties, though many were lost or buried at sea and have no known grave. It was officially calculated that 27% died as a result of enemy action. Added to that, as career seamen many had also served through WW1, and risked death there too.

[@corditekid1]

It is one of the worst facts, that as soon as their ships were sunk, their pay stopped! They could be in a lifeboat or Carly float for days, sometimes weeks, and not be owed a penny!

[@nickcc2003]

I can't tell you gentlemen how much I appreciate your documentaries. I also appreciate how you not only focus on the allies, but the Germans Also.

[@patgeorge1]

At the Rannville war cemetery there is a very interesting grave. A 9th battalion of the Parachute Regiment soldier who was a dog handler. He and his dog parachuted into France on D day but both were killed a few days later. He and his dog are buried together in the Rannville cemetery

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I've heard that story. Definitely plan on visiting there on my next trip.

[@only1dutchgirl]

6th Airborne Emile Corteil and his dog Glen

[@stephenwilliams1824]

In Commonwealth cemeteries, there is always a visitors book that you can put your name and address in; followed by a short comment. Is it the same in US war cemeteries?

[@timothyogden9761]

JD! I just read about Sydney Bates and his acts of selflessness. I'm fortunate to know what a heroic man he was. RIP Sydney Bates! Your memory lives on.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Quite the man.

[@davidclarke1508]

My wife, son, and I stayed in Bayeux near this cemetery and we very much enjoyed walking through it. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty amazing place.

[@seadoggozo-fishingguitarsa1837]

I visited the Bayeaux cemetery several years ago with some friends and our families. My father fought in WW2 and I am also a (UK) veteran. My friend had two very young children at the time and as children often do, as we walked the cemetery they played quite happily. They weren't being riotous or overly noisy. Just being kids. Another visitor questioned why he was allowing his children to play. I told them that the men lying here would have no concerns about the children playing. Quite the opposite. They would be very happy to have those children there and playing.

[@bonkerslez91]

The freedom they fought and died defending 🇬🇧

[@dawndickson2156]

Learning something new in every episode. As a person that likes to stroll in a cemetery and read the headstones this was fascinating. Interesting how the Brits honored these brave men. Thank you JD and Paul.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, I could have spent an entire day just at these two places.

[@pigybak]

Thanks to JD, we spent an entire day visiting Chattanooga National Cemetery.

[@Lighthand3079]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Had the privilege of visiting these sites several years ago. Wasn’t discussed here, but something else they did was place headstones of bomber crews tighter together. Depending which sites you visit, you may come across a row of 3-5 that are noticeably tighter together. This represents those airmen being recovered from the same aircraft. Keep up the great work!

[@brianda1585]

Thanks JD for shining a light on the British and Commonwealth sacrifice along with our American brethren. Really enjoy all your work. All the best from the UK.

[@peterwalton1502]

May all our Commonwealth fallen Rest In Peace. Thank god we had brave men like you 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@jimburtwell2731]

Having visited a Canadian Cemetery in Normandy I was moved by its beauty and the care it is given. Two rows of huge Canadian maple trees brought from Canada as young trees line the entrance. I'll never forget it.

[@diannebass2744]

So touching to see how British and the Commonwealth honor their fallen war heros. When I get a notification of a new upload of your videos, I can hardly wait to watch it. Your and one other channels I follow gets me excited that I am going to learn more.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

So glad to hear that. Thanks!

[@LumpyinAZ]

Thank you for this video and honoring our Commonwealth brothers and their sacrifice.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Hopefully people will share this one and help make others aware as well.

[@thehistoryexplorer]

Thank you for covering British troops in your recent videos. Amazing content and so well made. Hopefully this will help a different audience understand the contributions of the Commonwealth to WW2. As a volunteer with Commonwealth War Graves Commission I really enjoyed this episode. Brilliant work

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. And thanks for volunteering with the CWGC!

[@OSRgrumbler]

I was almost in tears by the end of this video. My father volunteered in 1940 and joined the 1st Middlesex. (At the time he was in a reserved occupation and not liable for conscription). As you mentioned in the video the Middlesex was in Normandy (the only English unit in the 15th Scottish Division). My father was wounded in the fighting for Caen. His best friend died in his arms. Dad was seriously wounded enough to be sent home and spent the rest of the war in the UK. Liked and subscribed.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@davidking6172]

Nice one Jd when I was serving my 22 years I went to Normandy twice with Veteran's from the Campaign they are all gone sadly. But I will cherish the time I had laughing and having a beer with them. Thanks for sharing our troops stories and thanks for your passion on history. God bless

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. I’m jealous of your experience.

[@stephenrrose]

Thank you JD and Paul for taking the time to visit these gravesites and educate us as well on this history!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure.

[@BaggieT]

Thanks for covering all aspects on this series. Very touching

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@aaronthornhill8474]

Thank you for visiting our fallen heroes . You’re a great man JD.

[@philipisaacs9995]

I am a British grandson of a brave young American GI who was badly wounded in France in 1944.He was wounded by “the biggest mortar bomb the Germans ever had” as he put it. My British grandfather fought in various theatres on three continents, all very decisive campaigns. North Africa, Italy, Normandy, Denmark and Palestine. Both grandfathers survived the war, but the English one having gunned down German soldiers behind enemiy lines in Italy, didn’t talk much. It must be too terrible to talk about. Thank you for visiting those cemeteries. It means a lot to many.

[@derek89273]

Thanks for doing these JD, much appreciated. "They shall never grow old".

[@midcoastmoto8724]

Yet another unique journey into stories unknown. JD you are the best! Thank you once again for educating us in the stories that you just don't hear anywhere else. Perpetuating the legend of those who gave everything for us.

[@shauntemplar.26]

Thank you JD your a good man for taking the time to visit our heroic lads

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching.

[@fredv7487]

Awesome job. Glad you are educating folks on the ways of others. That's what we all need. Thanks again for educating us. 👍👍👍 They where all so young on both sides.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure! I really enjoyed putting this one together.

[@Goblues1234]

Whenever I travel overseas I always check to see if there is a Commonwealth War Cemetery nearby to where I am and pay a visit. They are such beautiful yet tragic places.

[@normahird9059]

JD....... Yet another superb vlog of heroic soldiers who fought to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thanks to historians like you the memories of these soldiers are preserved. Your work doing this is very much appreciated.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Much appreciated.

[@charlieemmarussell1174]

Great video! Commonwealth War Grave sites are designed to resemble a British style church yard, hence the garden feel of the cemeteries

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting. Thanks for that info.

[@HarryFenton6124]

I cycle from my Normandy home to the Commonwealth Cemetery near Beny Bocage once a year. I am moved to tears by some of the epitaphs. Things like' forever missed by your Mum', or 'your sweetheart will never forget you'. There are about 900 immaculate graves there in a beautiful peaceful setting. As an ex soldier I am fascinated by the range of Regimental badges and long forgotten names of units I never knew existed. It`s well worth a visit.

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

It’s a shame our Canadian boys seem to always be forgotten or are only ever mentioned in brief passing. Their sacrifice was great and they are not forgotten as well. 🇨🇦

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Stick around. We've got some Canadian content on the horizon :)

[@WW2TV]

Hi Andrew, like with my channel, there's only so much you can cover in one episode. JD has filmed at Canadian sites, so just keep watching.

[@soultraveller5027]

The Canadian contributions of its young men and material that kept Britain in the fight against Nazi Germany that they came forward to help the mother country in both world wars and it's sacrifice of its youth. Shall not be forgotten 🇬🇧

[@jasonfiore8182]

No one in the uk have forgotten any sacrifice that Canadians have made or any other , dont beleive in that buddy, its also taught in schools here

[@duncancallum]

As a Scot not true we remember them forever .

[@toyman9642]

When I view the You Tube videos of the American, Canadian and British cemeteries at Normandy, I stop for a moment and reflect on their sacrifice. We owe them all so much.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so.

[@stephenbernadyn7488]

Sidney Bates, British VC recipient, wow what amazing selfless courage from a young man. I often ponder if a 23 year old could muster that kind of courage today. I don't know that I could have done that.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I hear you. Uncommon valor.

[@grimmace9081]

Respect to our comrades in arms. thank's to both of you for these video's

[@exmoorfarmer4880]

Super video guys and thank you for visiting a Commonwealth Cemetery. The MN for the two older guys stands for Merchant Navy. They would be older given their rank and were the professional sailors who ran unarmed ships on convoys and supply runs. Very brave men as they were at the mercy of every U Boat going. Thanks again for such a great video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you and thanks for the extra info.

[@corbinbacon9043]

Very well done my friend. Everyone needs recognition. Even the defeated or whatever you want to call them. Everyone deserves recognition. It was a total world war! Most men were just doing ' their duty". No reason to be forgotten or shunned in the ever after.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed. It's also and opportunity to learn.

[@NorthernCoins]

Thank you Thank you, for the excellent series, England/ Britain as fought over that piece of France for hundreds of years, but when you visit those cemeteries they always take you back, and Thank you for showing the regiments badges, I myself am a proud kingsman, now part of the Duke of Lancaster regiment

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. Appreciate those words.

[@NorthernCoins]

@@Luke-Hike I'm so sorry to here that

[@NorthernCoins]

You must be a Yorkshire regiment guy, lol,

[@dave3156]

Great episode JD. Was great to have Paul explain the differences between American and Commonwealth cemeteries. Bayeaux cemetery wall of honor with all the names reminds me of the WWI cemeteries with all the names. Thx for sharing

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty moving place. Glad that I had Paul along to help interpret the headstones.

[@dave3156]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Paul is a wealth of knowledge. Really enjoying WW2TV--glad you put a promo on for him!! Hope to see you on line later today

[@Spitnchicklets]

Thank you so much for all the great videos. You must have so much fun with your adventures.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

Thanks so much for doing this. It's a great pretty basic portrayal of these graveyards which have been mostly ignored by 'history'. But also by *us*, the British. You cared, but you also organised and made it happen. The entrepreneurial spirit of Americans is a beautiful thing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@helenecadle7822]

If you haven’t already been there, the Menin Gate is a must. The Last Post ceremony, every night is so, so moving.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Haven’t been there yet.

[@helenecadle7822]

@@TheHistoryUnderground the most amazing area with so many memorials. A must go to place.

[@jerryarensberg3380]

Fantastic series. I've been to Normandy twice, but have not seen a lot of what you have shown. Thank you for what you are presenting.

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

Thank you for highlighting some of the Commonwealth cemeteries in Normandy. It is good to see the final resting place of some men from the 1st Hussars, one of the units from my hometown of London, Ontario.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely. Thanks!

[@andrewvanveen1804]

Thanks for mentioning the Regiment. I served with 1H for 10 years and I remember the vets' stories about Juno beach. Hodie Non Cras.

[@reggriffiths5769]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it is so refreshing to watch an American giving respectful mention to British/Commonwealth servicemen, something rarely seen in American videos of WW1 and WW2. The gentleman who provided information for you, had actually been given a task impossible for him to relate in full, but in Northern France and Belgium there are some 4,000 British/Commonwealth military cemeteries of various sizes, constructed and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Where known, the regimental cap badge of the interred soldier is always reproduced on the headstone, and the family were normally invited to offer a personal inscription (Paul made an unintentional faux pas in stating that every soldier killed received notification of his death, when it was actually his family that got the notice!!! Sorry to raise that fatuous point!). Unlike most other armies, the British Army fought - not by regiment, but by battalion. When they joined, they were placed in a specific regiment - let's call it the Bluntshires. That regiment would have had a nominal two battalions, one of which would be serving abroad, and one at home (as the "Parent"), also acting as the recruitment centre for that regiment. In times of warfare, those two battalions might be supplemented by the raising of additional battalions, but each battalion would wear the Bluntshires capbadge. Pride in their regiment was normally reflected by referring first to their battalion, be it the 1st, 2nd or whichever one it was. During the First World War, some regiments had up to 20 or more battalions! An interesting note on the British Army, is that up until 1916, no recruit was anything other than a volunteer - right from the 16th Century. The great losses after the Somme battles in 1916 changed that, due mainly to the large number of losses sustained. The largest CWGC Cemetery is close to Passchendaele in Flanders, and contains 11,000 Commonwealth soldiers from the First World War. It wasn't normal practice, but neither was it unusual for enemy personnel to be buried alongside Commonwealth troops. The Germans did the same thing in some places. I beg to respectfully correct you regarding religious groups. There are a number of cemeteries where Commonwealth troops have their own cemeteries, and these are mostly Hindi or Musim. There are also a number of Chinese cemeteries, but these were entirely Chinese civilians working for the British - mainly in constuction and grave-digging duties. They were however, subject to British Army Regulations. You can find the details of every British Soldier killed in either World War, along with information on every CWGC Cemetery right across the world in the CWGC website. Most KIA/DOW details can be found within seconds. My family had no details of my mother's sister who served and died serving with the British Army in Egypt. I was able to find her date of death, causes, cemetery, grave location and grave (with photograph of the headstone) within a few minutes! I you are an American (or any other National) with former relatives or friends killed in either World War, you can get all the above info' in the CWGC website. Thanks for a quite sensitively treated and informative video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you for the kind words. Much respect for what the British and Commonwealth troops did during the war.

[@SandervkHistory]

I allways love to visit commenwealth cemetary's. The unit symbols and specialized text is allways great to see! And to see Germans burried with Allied soldiers is amazing to see.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I was extremely impressed. It made me want to go visit them all.

[@Wreckdiver59]

There's a lot of interesting things packed in this relatively short video. Thanks once again for teaching me something new. You can never stop learning 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I wish that I would have hit a few more while I was over there. So much to see.

[@candyredman4381]

Excellent education...I love this SOOOO much !!

[@jondoe399]

I don’t know JD, with this Normandy series you’ve set the bar really high. It’s almost too good. No pressure. Thank you and safe travels.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Gosh. That’s what I’m afraid of. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@peukie1955]

Visited the Bayeux War Cemetery a few years back on our tour through Normandy to pay our respect to the fallen. One of the things that moved me where the small notes and pictures the Canadian graves had posted next to the headstone. As if he had written them himself, very moving.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely some moving places.

[@ricardoteixeira6992]

Most fantastic epitafh in Bayeux War Cemetery: "PEACE LAD. YOU PLAYED THE GAME".

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. I could spend an entire day reading through those.

[@ricardoteixeira6992]

@@TheHistoryUnderground , most moving War Cemetery it's in Oosterbeek, for british soldiers in Operation Market Garden. Don't miss it, specialy in Flower Children Day. It's heartbreaking.

[@WFMeyer]

Hey JD, I’ve visited the awe-inspiring American cemetery in Coleville Sur Mer, and the somber Teuton-style German cemetery in La Cambe, but I found I spent more time at the British cemetery in Bayeux. There was just so much more story to every headstone. It was profound.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Completely agree.

[@mossbrg5]

Yes. All the ones you mentioned are well worth a visit. As well as the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. I always pay visits and respects to the fallen when touring the historic Normandy sites.

[@billn8304]

I have not had the opportunity to visit Normandy and the cemeteries of our fallen. I did have a chance to visit a WWII cemetery of Germans that fell during the invasion of Sicily. It was a chilling experience.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely hope to visit there at some point.

[@mgunny05]

This is so well done. JD, Paul, you have done so much good with these history videos - OUTSTANDING JOB! 👏👏🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@TheFunkhouser]

The justice and honor you are showing not just to these brave guys but everyone afflicted by war is extremely wonderful JD. Bless you mate! 🌟❤🙏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@johnetter2930]

So glad you went there to those two cemeteries. Never realized about the age differences before.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty moving places.

[@NeoByteNL]

Very informative video, also thank you to Paul for explaining all this.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@toyman9642]

Whenever I drive by a cemetery in London, Ontario, Canada, I turn my head for a few seconds over the fence and see the veterans section with it's many rows of identical markers. I always say a silent Thank You for their service. In Canada, Remembrance Day is November 11. There are services and speeches throughout the country but, the following day, people return to their usual routines and the previous day is forgotten. It should not be that way. All service personnel, active or retired, living or dead, should be remembered all year round. Canadian, British, American, Australian, etc. deserve to be in our thoughts more than one day a year. They all deserve our respect and thanks.

[@frankboyd7993]

Your episodes are always so informative and well produced; I always look forward to viewing each new one.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@BuckeyeBackyardBBQ]

Another great job showing us the cost of this war. It’s amazing how big the battle field of Normandy really is!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that!

[@WW2TV]

4000 square miles!

[@danjack9447]

Thank you JD and Paul. We sometimes get so caught up on what the Americans did and sites that are meaningful to their battles that we miss the great history of our partners in arms. Thank you for presenting this in such a fascinating way. This episode in particular got me when you showed the grave of the Brit soldier with the last name Jack. That is not a common last name and now we have a whole family of Jack’s here in the US wondering if we are somehow related. Hmmmmm. 😊

[@roadlizardcu8664]

Never Forget! Wonderful, respectful video. Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you too!

[@itsonlyme9938]

What is amazing the amount of work gone in to the building of the monument and engraving of all those headstones and very befitting for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we all could live in freedom.

[@sallybrown1459]

In our local cemetery, there is a empty grave with a headstone with his name, date of birth, and that he died somewhere on the Bataan Death March. Body never recovered. He was 21 yrs old. To think that that kid grew up right here, with our family and friends, and ended up there. We are too young to have known him, but our parents, grandparents knew him well.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. That is tragic.

[@WranglerRunner1]

Thanks for the content; you, Paul and Erik make a great team and are pumping out some great stuff.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I've definitely learned a lot from those guys.

[@andrzejplocki6438]

Thank you, tastefully and respectfully done.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you kindly!

[@jamesholt7612]

That's so cool JD. I enjoyed this video and others that you have uploaded.

[@kathyburt9285]

thank you! Another interesting peice of history

[@Roller_Ghoster]

The Commonwealth War Grave at La Délivrande, Douvres contains the dead of Ulster. All volunteers. Great to see British and Commonwealth forces get some recognition.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I'll have to check that one out.

[@WW2TV]

Yep although there are other RUR buried in Cambes in Plaines, Banneville etc

[@Roller_Ghoster]

@@WW2TV thats right. Those buried in La Délivrande died on 6 June and the subsequent fighting to push inland.

[@eddt430]

My 15 year old daughter found a soldier with the same initials and surname as herself at a local museum in torbay last year. He was 19 and in the 12 Airborne division Devon Dorset's. She asked if we could visit his grave. With some research we visited the British Normandy memorial last week searched and searched. We found him. I couldn't believe it. We then travelled to Ranville war cemetery near to where he died at Branville. Again we searched and couldn't believe it when we found his grave stone. Looking at it stood next to my daughter affected me so much I broke down. I didn't even know him. But I felt as though I did. My respect for all of these boys is so strong. What they all went through you can't imagine. We shall never forget. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇫

[@Peterleverton]

Fascinating video as always….as a Brit, it was really nice to see you visiting those places.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully people will share this one out. My hope is that more people will see and come to appreciate these places.

[@Peterleverton]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I plan on doing so this summer. Thanks again…and keep up the great work.

[@XxBloggs]

Very nicely done. Having Paul explain the British system was really interesting. I’ve added his channel to my feed.

[@WW2TV]

Thank you. I have over 400 deep-dive WWII history shows on my channel kzbin.info

[@katiem6773]

As I Canadian, I enjoyed your adding the Canadian cemetery here. Thank you for another interesting respectful tour.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@andrewdiack8162]

You really need to visit the Normandy CWGC cemeteries in July and August when the red roses by each stone are out. Stunning and got me emotional which was unusual for me!

[@michaelalexander2306]

I have spent some time visiting war graves in Europe, including Normandy. British, American and German, all have their differences. One of the most moving for me was a small cemetery called 'Jerusalem ' in a small Normandy village. They remain there because the local people consecrated the ground so they could stay in the village with people they died liberating.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

[@michaelalexander2306]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Jerusalem cemetery is at the village of Chouain, about 9 miles south of Bayeux. It only has 48 graves.

[@WW2TV]

@@TheHistoryUnderground We can go there if we do a video together about Tilly sur Seulles and Point 103 (its on the way)

[@michaelalexander2306]

@@WW2TV watch the road that runs past the cemetery - it's like a Grand Prix track!

[@WW2TV]

@@michaelalexander2306 It depends what time of day and year. I was there a few days ago and it was very quiet. But yes we need a new fast road that bypasses Tilly and Villers-Bocage

[@grahamhodge8313]

I have visited many Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries. Most from WW1. At Anzio a few years ago I was able to visit the American Cemetery at Nettuno as well as the Commonwealth cemetery at Anzio. I was moved by both. The scale and beautiful landscaping of the US memorial is amazing but I found that the location and simplicity of the Commonwealth memorial was more affecting. I am glad that we still invest in the memory of these people who gave their lives in this great cause.

[@lthom5158]

Very moving!

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

No, thank you for watching.

[@luskimo1]

the British and Canadians and the other allies fought just as hard and valiant as the US troops and its a shame more don't know their full stories...again thanks for this series

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Completely agree. My hope is that people will share out some of these videos so that we can make their stories more well known.

[@phantomtitan9792]

Vary beautiful cemeteries

[@JDDupuy]

Learned so much from this video no doubt! Once again you have provided us a teaching moment and a reminder the cost of freedom.

[@SpaceHCowboy]

The "pipers lament" plays in my head as I watch this. Remember the fallen. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧

[@ernestdougherty3162]

Thank you sir for honoring these men oh come from all walks of life and died on a Battlefield to save the world from the evil that existed as the proud father of my daughter who has been in the military for 22 years this coming March my dad who served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and my grandfather who served in the European theater during World War II and my step-grandfather who served in Pacific campaign during World War II and who work for General MacArthur I appreciate everything each and every one of these men did before and after their death appreciate it very much watching your videos honoring these men God bless you and your family

[@brianmessenger]

Thank you for doing this vlog. I love your channel and it never fails to give me the shivers when you do one on the war cemeteries. I’m not aware of any Brits doing anything similar. As a Brit it was good to see a British war cemetery. Thank you again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@benjaminrush4443]

So good of you to visit.

[@willierobertson862]

Great episode JD and Woody, the epitaphs were normally paid for by the family, that's why some don't have them. Incidentally, under the rules from the CWGC, Australian troops were not permitted an epitaph.

[@WW2TV]

Initially they had to pay yes, then later they became free

[@markl4670]

Another great episode. Two of my relatives who fought with different regiments ( Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and 17th/21st Hussars) were killed five days apart. They are buried in the same cemetery in Assisi. One day, I will pay them a visit.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Nice video. The MN on the headstones at 10:46 stands for Merchant Navy; career civilian seafarers, hence their age. Their ship SS Empire Rosebery struck a mine off the Normandy coast at Ouistreham, where she still lies.

[@dougmoodie8713]

Excellent video, always very moving to visit the cemeteries. My dad was 9th bn, 6th Airborne, and when we visited the Ranville cemetery where a lot of his friends lay, he would lightly tap his walking stick on top of the headstone as if to say hey, im here pal. These gardens of stone are hallowed grounds and when I see them I think, look at all the children who were never born. R.I.P

[@WW2TV]

I did go to Ranville with JD, at least I think we did. We did so much I forget

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

We actually missed that one. Next trip!

[@WW2TV]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Ah, that's my faulty memory then. Oops

[@dougmoodie8713]

Its where Emile Cortiel is buried with his para dog Glen, sadly killed in a friendly bombing incident, also R E Johns, the 16 year old paratrooper who lied about his age to join up, by the time the army found out he had just been killed

[@paulb1912]

Been there very emotional.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so.

[@thibaultsoroca3729]

Hi, Thanks you for all your videos. I learn something new each new episodes. It will be great that your talk about the "other allies" who fought in Normandy. Like the polish, french, Norwegian, Dutch etc... Like your work on your channel keep continued 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Got some plans for that in the future. Thanks!

[@thibaultsoroca3729]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Great news 😁 !! Thanks for your hard work

[@gerryg1056]

I have visited some of the Normandy cemeteries, and also the CWGC cemeteries from WW1 around Ypres in Belgium. For me personally it's the small ones that are most poignant. The huge sites like Tyne Cot with nearly 12000 graves are difficult to comprehend, but then you see in the distance a white cross, sometimes in the middle of a field with maybe 40 or 50 graves and always kept immaculately.