Double Hills Memorial Ride – 4/6th September 2020
Paul Moore, our President, has been working at top speed trying to put together our ride. Here is the latest details giving the RVs and outline plan on each day. IMPORTANT COVID Counter-measures. All riders are respectfully requested to bring face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser for their own use during the weekend, and use where appropriate.
Outline Of Events
Fri 04 Sept.
Travel day. Riders are requested to ‘team up’ en route by making your own arrangements and RVs depending on where you are travelling from. Please post these on FB page so that everyone can see and join if necessary.
Sat 05 Sept
0930 hrs Depart Best Western Midsomer Norton. (Those that are staying there) 0945 – 1015 hrs RV at The Farrington Inn car park. (next to a Texaco garage). (4 Miles – 12 min) The Farrington Inn Bristol Road Farrington Gurney Bristol BS39 6TG Click for Map
1015 Hrs Depart for Weston Super Mare. (22 Miles – 42 Mins)
1115 Hrs Arrive at WSM All Arms Veterans Breakfast Club. Social distancing rules in operation. More info to follow. They know we are coming and looking forward to meeting us. Some have taken part in Double Hills Service before. We may also RV with Vandieman MCC at this point. They know we are coming and have offered to host / escort us around WSM area. 1230 hrs Depart to Milton cemetery. (4.5 Miles- 15 Mins) Milton Cemetery Weston-super-Mare BS23 2RP Click for Map
1300 Hrs Act of Remembrance at the graves of glider crew (21 men from 9 Para RE and 2 Glider Pilot Regt). 23 crosses to be laid. 1400 Hrs Depart. (Programme TBC but likely to be a ride out with Vandieman MCC and a visit to their clubhouse) . Return to digs afterwards etc.
Sun 06 Sept
1200 Hrs Best Western latest check out time. Depart Best Western for Paulton or perhaps a small ride out or pub lunch somewhere. TBC. 1330 Hrs Arrive car park. Paulton, Bristol BS39 7ND
Police will be in attendance for security & safety purposes.
Meet & Greet. There is a 5 minute walk across a field to the actual location of the memorial.
1430 Hrs Double Hills Service of Remembrance begins. Brief History
The Double Hills Memorial Service, which remembers the 21 Sappers from the 9th Field Company (Airborne) Royal Engineers and 2 pilots from the Glider Pilots Regiment, who lost their lives on Sunday morning 17th September 1944, when their Horsa Glider RJ113 crashed into a meadow called Double Hills, in the village of Paulton, Somerset. These were the first casualties of the Battle of Arnhem – Operation Market Garden. They had earlier taken off with their tug aircraft, a Stirling bomber, from RAF Keevil. 1530 Hrs. Act of Remembrance ends. Return to base locations under own arrangements or stay local & travel following day.
