We managed 60+ bikes on the Don Fife run to Fresney-le-Puceux on 4th June where Sven and Bass replaced the old plaque with a new one (both made by Hans)
We were offered parking by the Mare in the village municipal car park after which we were invited to the courtyard of the local land owner to taste the beers from his brewery. Unfortunately the weather was not so good for 75% of the day, but undeterred, we achieved 80-90 miles.

On 5th June We had a convoy of about 80 Bikes to Pegasus Bridge, which must have been a sight to behold, especially by the locals in the normally sleepy towns and villages. I'll leave John Tinley for the final numbers and comments of the assembly at the old bridge.

I must say also that we had nothing but helpful and friendly reactions from the police that we met, who were obviously heavily in force over this period. We even had four police motorcyclists tagged into our convoy at one stage.

Thanks to the riders who helped with drop offs and traffic control. With special thanks to 'Tail End Andy B' and young Ross White on his Harley who did a sterling job on traffic control and keeping the whole convoy together both days.

Lots more pictures, comments and video clips to follow from others I'm sure (including probably the 6x6 Dodge that didn't beat the incoming tide at Asnelles):slightly_frowning_face: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Just been sent these pix. Ron:cry:

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

upload



Hi all, I just wanted to add, that Ron did a brilliant job as leader and guide as always, sons big thank you to him, and for everyone in there participation. The two photos show the row of bike in Tilly and the second row at the bottom ( we all couldn't get in along the front ) a real spectical to be hold, and a privileged to be apart of it all.


upload





upload

Thanks for the report Ron. Looking forward to seeing more pics from those that attended.

Wish I could have been there Ron....
Small correction: when you say "... where Sven and Bass replaced the old plaque with a new one (both made by Hans) ....", it was Sven who did the entire job of finding a shop, and ordering the new plaque; unfortunately, I am not able anymore to be active nor can I ride my bike. Age-related problems you know...:cry:
But I am happy that the tradition will continue through Sven, Bas and all the other youngsters...:smile:
Hans

Hi Hans, I misunderstood, so apologies to Sven. I'll email you later about the other matters.
Regards Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ron, just picking up on your comment about the Pégasus Bridge gathering we had 161 bikes in total but during the downpour I spotted that 1947 Matchless painted in RAF blue so we will settle at 160. The great news is that it went down very well with the Curator and the public and we have been invited back again next year. Apologies to the Harley Riders who we did not allow access at the beginning but we were concerned about running out of space. I suspect there will be considerably fewer bikes next year. Hope to see you all again next year, minus a post war Matchless.😃JT

Dear All

Many thanks for posting images from Normandy its great for those like myself on the other side of the world to see some many turn out to pay there respects.

and out of curiosity what happened to the truck in the water?

Regards

Stuart

email (option): deepsea@vol.net

There was a fantasy-blue TRW on the beach at Arromanches on the morning of 6th June. No, I don't get it either....

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Seen that TRW buzzing about a few times in the week, must say it didn't fit in too well. Just got back and unloaded the 16H, needs a good clean ran well all week but ran out of petrol one day.
Nice to meet up with forum members and put faces to names. Enjoyed the Don Fife memorial run even though the weather turned on us.
Rik, nice to meet you and your father i hope he had a good week as it must have seemed a little overwhelming with all the people around.

Tim W

email (option): t.j.walker@btinternet.com

Some TRWs were finished in RAF blue/grey...Mine was and I remember seeing many NOS TRW parts finished in this colour, including full fork sets in their wooden delivery crates, back in the 70s/80s when it was all readily available....So, not a 'fantasy' colourwise even if it was out of context in that particular environment...

My 1951 BTH equipped TRW on Dartmoor...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Ian, my photo doesn't do justice to the shade of Ladies Boudoir Blue...I have no difficulty recognising RAF Blue/Grey. The colour was closest to something normally seen in combination with 'Dove Grey' on a Norton Lightweight.

Nice to chat with you as well, Tim. Dad survived the week, even if he remains puzzled by the attention. He passed the 'dram' to the piper on the beach on June 6th and certainly enjoyed his own glass afterwards.



Glad to see that everyone had a good time on the bikes. Those of us who were car-bound were severly restricted in our movements. Even yesterday in Arromanches there were road closures from 06.00hrs due to the afternoon's modern jet airshow.

A few photos from the gathering organised by John Tinley.

No more a 'crime' than the many shades and colours of drab green methinks..Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

It was a 1950s bike in a 'look at me' colour on Gold Beach on the morning of the 75th anniversary of 6th June 1944. To my mind it didn't belong there.

Oh please let's not have an argument about bike colour...! :face_with_rolling_eyes:

I've got loads of pictures to download onto the PC before I can post them here. I'll get on with it.

Great to meet lots of people I haven't seen since the 70th and finally put a face to the name of others, especially Tim W and the " Wildlings from beyond the wall" :laughing:
Thanks to Ron for leading us through the countryside and Ross for being a motorcycle lollypop man :smile: It was brilliant when 5 motorcycle cops joined the middle of our group and Ross was blocking the traffic on a roundabout. They looked at him and pointed, then gave the thumbs up. So we escorted the Police through a busy town :smiley: Thanks also to all the people involved in organising meetings, events, plaques etc. A great time away and the Model 18 went well.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Too late...we've already had it!!:laughing: ...I'm enjoying the Normandy pics, keep them coming....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks Dave , Motorcycle lollipop man, I like it a lot, I did have the lollipop out on a few occasions also!!!!!! Roll on 2020.

I thought this was a good PR photo showing your bike Ross


ht this

email (option): ian_chatfield@hotmail.com

Very nice Ian, I must agree, it is a good PR picture, after taking pictures for the French Rozers I too took one .........

Myself and Alwyn checking maps in Ver-sur-Mer.. I will need to get another black cap as I left mine hanging in the shower cubicle and went back 10 minutes later and it was gone !! Great time over there this time and did about twice the milage than last time. Got a few more niggles to sort out on the bike but I guess if you dont ride them you dont find out what they are !! Thanks to all that helped. Rich.

email (option): richardpurkiss@hotmail.com

This is the local landowners front drive that Ron spoke of,

email (option): ian_chatfield@hotmail.com

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Hi Horror...Nice pics....and the Norton looks great...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks Ian, I've got hundreds of pictures if anybody wants any from a particular place.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Well you were going to send me some of the little English Setter for Janet!! :disappointed: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I will do Ron, I've only just downloaded the pictures from mine and Wendy's phones to the PC.
My ancient computer won't work when I clicked the "reply" button on this site and I've had to go on my iPad to post these pictures. It's taken me over an hour to do on a touch screen device :sob:

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Hi Everyone

It was a great trip and one I'm glad to have shared with my Son, we moved over to Utah on the 7th for a few nights after many left Matilde (and as it goes Rich also left his cap which we found on the floor) to what was effectively a field with one toilet and a shower, Seb said "Dad it was a shame we had to move I really liked where we were as I had loads of friends, they had cooked breakfast, pastries and a bar" he wasn't wrong on all counts..

Rich I've emailed you tonight and will post it once you send me your address

Lovely to see everyone again..

email (option): kit247@hotmail.com

Found in Longues sur mer battery

email (option): m606paz@yahoo.com.ar

That's Paul Fevyier and the 'NOBS' group. He does a nice job! Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Great pictures Horror, I remember us all parking up on the nice new grey paving flags. We were there for around 10 minutes. Think the authority's would not be too happy with all the oil spots on the new flags after we left, some were a fair bit larger than a spot. Great riding and we fully enjoyed the full week, see if you can get some more pics loaded, I know its a pain but well worth it.:grinning:

Tim W

email (option): t.j.walker@btinternet.com

Another WNG found near Overlord Museum

email (option): m606paz@yahoo.com.ar

Longues Battery Camp





Arromanches

email (option): m606paz@yahoo.com.ar

Just a note to say thanks to Kit Harvey who had found the DR cap that I dropped on the campsite and who kindly posted it back to me when I mentioned that I had lost it. Cheers Kit.
Richard

email (option): richardpurkiss@hotmail.com

What a shame my Fathers TRW didn't "fit in" during this years D Day commemorations but let me fill in a few details. The colour isn't correct of course but it's what my Father had to hand when restoring the bike and in true military fashion it's what he used. The number on the tank I put on and is my Fathers service number from his active service in the RAF Regiment and no doubt that's wrong in the eyes of the rivet counters but the bike is a homage to my Dad and the Regiment so it'll stay. The comment I found the strangest is the one about not being in keeping being on the beach on the 6th, which I think was from Rik? Well I guess we see things differently fella because I wasn't on the beach at first light to be in an olive drab fashion parade but to pay my respect to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice! It's also a shame that you felt it necessary to wait till you got home to be a keyboard warrior to have your say when you could have come up to me personally, seeing as I was with the bike the majority of the time we were on the beach. Would it be better to buy a civilian M20 and dress it up as military? Would that have been more in keeping? At least the TRW is a true military bike with them only going to the civilian market after release from service. So next time your on the beaches of Normandy on the 6th remember why your there! Leave you olive drab fashion parade tyre kicking for your village fete! And if you feel the need to pick holes in what someone's riding why not grow a pair and talk to them about it, but of course bare in mind they might bite, maybe that's why you didn't. May we have peace in Europe for another 75 years, Mad Gunner ex RA.

Hmmm..When I organised a D Day tour it was stipulated beforehand in the tour details which people signed up to, that the bikes entered should be Allied Forces WW2 machines....A few people either through bloody mindedness or ignorance had a compulsion to join in on a couple of the runs on illegible machines even though they weren't part of what was an organised event.(Also sanctioned and approved by the Mayors Office in Arromanches)..They were approached at the time and both the error and the rules were pointed out......

It is my understanding that this year it wasn't an organised event, rather a loose gathering of like minded enthusiasts and to my knowledge there was no information circulated regarding machine eligibility beforehand...

If that was indeed the case then any views expressed about anything in that regard are purely personal I would have thought and perhaps should have been qualified as such...The presence of a TRW in those circumstances wouldn't have bothered me personally...
Don't forget the beach is a public place after all and without an organised event anyone can attend on any machine and get involved...

You plainly feel that your attendance and your intentions were entirely justified and therefore you should accept that the approach of the people involved in what you term, in a rather derogatory way, 'an olive drab fashion parade' must be acting in an equally valid way and are also expressing their commemoration as they choose to..

Perhaps this just serves to illustrate how easy it can be to be inappropriately judgemental...

Clearly, no one holds the high moral ground here and there is no 'right' and 'wrong' way to do things in Normandy...It's a purely personal choice...

On an 'organised' tour which people book onto before arriving in France, I would have thought it a common courtesy for those not 'booked on' to avoid being involved unless by specific invitation or after having approached the organisers first, but that's a whole different situation and another argument altogether...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Hi Ian, nice reply, thank you and we did question the group we came with (not yours) if they had any objection to me bringing the TRW and they said they didn't, so along it came. I had a wail of a time riding with my Bruv on his 3HW up and down the D514 and everywhere we went Fathers TRW got people asking after its origin, that's why the post on hear came as such a disappointing surprise. I did discover on the trip there's a certain way you guys who do this on a regular basis do things but I'm just an ex sqauddie who wanted to pay my respects who's ignorant of the protocol involved. Father has just purchased an Ariel W/NG to add to his collection and I will bring that in two years time and the 80th but whether I enjoy the ride as much as the tele/rigid combination of the TRW time will tell, after all, along with paying our respects it's why we were there weren't we, to ride? Not sure if I'll go to the trouble the majority I saw go to in getting all the period uniform, just the smock I wore when in the mob (yes it still fits) sufficed this time and probably will in future, wouldn't want to have the wrong buttons on my tunic. Mad Gunner.

I should note that, unfortunately, I wasn't in attendance this year, though I know personally many of the motorcycle 'regulars' who travel to Normandy...

It is becoming progressively more complicated to organise a fully structured event due to the seemingly endless increase in rules, regulations and conditions and it may well be that a motorcycle event along those lines won't happen again...A shame really IMO but there is a limit to how much time a small group can spend on getting it all done and rolling...
The future I suspect, will become the more loosely structured events like this year and as such it just won't be possible to impose any particular character on any gatherings without an organising body of some type.....

However, it is a legitimate worry that the focus on the reasons for being in Normandy gets watered down over time...Last time I went to Normandy we visited St Mere Eglise and a modern Harley Club and Vintage Car Meeting figured rather too much in the events for my liking...I came away feeling it was turning into a bit of a circus...

So, there is a worry about the 'purity' of the proceedings and I guess some regard any deviation as the thin end of a potentially very large wedge...The problem is in divining exactly where is the line that should be defended....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Rik, the only threat of violence would have been from my tongue, seeing as I renounced all forms of physical violence some time ago, I do enjoy talking to rivet counters. Don't kick over the hornets nest if you don't want the come back fella, the people who ride military motorcycles is a small group and it was only a matter of time before this came to my attention. You clearly enjoyed putting up your original post for some sort of enjoyment, not sure what. I don't do forums for good reason, people say what they wouldn't say to someone's face but that's just the way of the world, so as far as I'm concerned it's an end to the matter to which I've had my right of reply and accept it or not. The bravery of those on that day is mind blowing and sincere respects to your Father.

I replied to a mention of a post-war bike having been excluded from the count on the Pegasus Bridge event by pointing out that there was also one on the beach at Arromanches and in a non-service colour which hardly seems to be taking rivet-counting to a new level. It would perhaps be stretching a point to say that I 'enjoyed' posting.

I'm always happy to discuss technical aspects with anyone, like seeing TRWs around and admire Edward Turner's headlamp nacelle. If the bike had been parked on the square, I'd probably just have said 'Nice Triumph' as I walked past. It was its presence in a line-up of WW2 vehicles on the beach which seemed incongruous and it doesn't seem to me to be unreasonable to discuss this aspect on a military vehicle forum with other enthusiasts.

Button-holing an owner with his machine at the time would compare with sending an e-mail and I wouldn't intrude. Posting on a forum is to my mind more like mentioning it in the pub afterwards.

I think that Ian is right when he says that some of us are concerned by specific WW2 military vehicle aspects becoming diluted. I do feel it would be a shame if it became a Land-Rover and Bombardier event (and I like Landies too...used an ex-MoD 109 as a wedding car). I wouldn't expect my '39 16H to be welcomed at a Great War event and could understand if some voiced concern about it at an Overlord event as it has BEF markings...The 30 Corps tour later this year certainly wouldn't welcome it. To my mind it's just one of those things and I don't feel we should be offended by events or parades having eligibility criteria.

I share some of the concerns identified...However, my contention is that as much as it might have been desired this event was not subject to any form of official sanction regarding machine criteria and was not a 'closed event' in terms of the participants.....As such that makes it very different to a specific event put on for a specific purpose for a limited group of participants...

The 30 Corps event plainly falls into the last category and isn't really the same thing as this years Normandy event....

I'm afraid we live in a world we cannot control beyond a specific event we choose to instigate....and even that isn't straightforward within a public environment as I found out on the 65th...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Ian, this wasn't the motorcyclist's Pegasus Bridge event but the WW2 MV gathering on Gold Beach on the morning of the 6th...or at least it was mentioned on the internet as such...I assume that someone regulated entrance to the beach and lined them up, otherwise they could just as easily have arrived and found the local 4x4 club there before them.

Ian, I arranged the motorcycle gathering at the Pegasus Bridge Museum this year and below you will see a copy of the invitation and instructions I posted on every WW2 related Facebook and forums I could find. I think I made it abundantly clear of which motorcycles were invited to attend. To my mind gaining entry on a clearly post was bike was not in the spirit of the event. We had someone on the gate checking all motorcycles arriving but still people persisted in gaining entry. Easily done when bikes were arriving 10 at a time. I was not at the gathering on the beach and cannot comment on what, if any, entry requirements there were. There are a number of different groups who go to Normandy from re-enactment groups who put a lot of effort into looking 100% correct to others like the NOBS who are very relaxed and make very few demands about what is required. Whilst I ride WD bikes I class myself as a motorcyclist and not a re-enactor and choose not to wear a uniform and therefore I do not attend events where dress requirements stipulate this. We should all do what we feel comfortable doing and respect the wishes of others in the events we attend. The most important thing is that we all agree it is about those who fought and died and saved the civilised world so that we have the freedom to make choices.

For those of you travelling to Normandy this year we are holding a gathering of WD Allied Motorcycles at the Pegasus Bridge Museum on the afternoon of 5th June. No Axis, post WW2 or civilian motorcycles will be permitted entry. Please make sure you DO NOT arrive before 13.15 as they are holding a ceremony before this time. We have very kind permission of the Curator to park our motorcycles on the grass between the rear of the museum and the original Pegasus Bridge.

I agree entirely with your sentiments regarding a clearly flagged and organised event...It seems entirely reasonable to me that the organiser of any event should have the final say when it comes to the criteria that determine who will be accepted to take part...Particularly so in the case of a 'closed' event...

As you are aware I wasn't in Normandy this time round but have the impression the gathering on the beach was essentially an open event..A different situation to that at Pegasus if that was the case...

It may be I have that wrong but if it was just a group of like minded people gathered together in a public place and not under the umbrella of some kind of organisation then any level of control would be impossible and a more open minded view must be employed....

I personally have no axe to grind in this case but, for discussion, I am only expressing my own view of both sides of the argument based on the original posting and the response to it...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I just wanted to say, two things, firstly riding whatever your comfortable with is fine by me, but if it was and organised WW2 WD machine only event ( which it wasn't ) then I could see why it was a problem, but it wasn't, so fair play for taking part.

Secondly however, a small group of WW2 military bike riders.........on the 2nd of June , there was 126 WW2 Harley Davidsons all together, on the 5th June, there was 60+ bikes for the Don Fife run, and on the 6th June Pegasus Bridge, 80+ bikes, I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'd say this was more than just a small group of WW2 military bikes personnel.

Ross W