- Contributed by
- BBC Cumbria Volunteer Story Gatherers
- People in story:
- Brian J.Scott
- Location of story:
- Whitehaven (Cumbria), Normandy (France).
- Background to story:
- Army
- Article ID:
- A4474235
- Contributed on:
- 17 July 2005
Brian Scott from Blackpool, Lancashire standing beside the West Cumbria Normandy Veteransā Memorial Plaque. During WW2 Brian served in the Guards Armoured Division and took part in the Normandy Landings. On 26 June 2005 Brian marched in Cumbriaās WW2 60th Anniversary āVictory Paradeā at Whitehaven. [Photograph by Joseph Ritson]
The article has been written by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer for the BBC Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk at the Maritime Festival held at Whitehaven on 25 ā 26 June 2005. The Festival also incorporated the official county of Cumbria 60th Anniversary āVictory Paradeā commemorating the end of World War Two. It has been submitted with the permission of Brian Scott from Blackpool Lancashire who has kindly shared a few of his wartime memories. The author understands the terms of the BBC āPeopleās Warā website.
During World War Two Brian served in the Grenadier Guards that was part of the Guards Armoured Division. Brian took part in the Normandy Landings, and landed at what had originally been designated āGold Beachā at Noon on 29 June 1944 (D-Day +23). Brian visited many towns and villages in Normandy, including Bayeux and Vire and Caen.
After the āBreak Outā at Falaise, Brianās tank acted in a liaison role. His crew had some dealings with French civilians. Sometimes they had to persuade the French Resistance to hold on to any German prisoners they had until other troops who were following behind them could take charge of them.
Brian lives at Blackpool, Lancashire but previously lived at Seascale, Cumbria. He is a member of the Normandy Veterans Association West Cumbria Branch and still keeps in regular contact with fellow members. In 2004 Brian took part in the 60th Anniversary Commemorations of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, revisiting many of the places where he had been in 1944.
On 26 June 2005, Brian marched yet again with his fellow veterans from the Normandy Campaign. However, on this occasion it was the 60th Anniversary āVictory Paradeā at Whitehaven. Before the march, Brian spent a few quiet moments at the Normandy Veterans Association Memorial Plaque in St Nicholasā Church Gardens on Lowther Street, Whitehaven. Brian said that as well as remembering the final victory at the end of World War Two it is important to remember those whose sacrifice made victory possible.
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