CAPTION: Rev'd Marisa Cockfield with veterans and members of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry during D-Day commemorations in Normandy
Clergy and Choristers from Devon take part in D-Day 80th Commemorations in Normandy
A group of clergy and choristers from the Diocese of Exeter is in Normandy taking part in commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The group includes Rev’d Sarah Mounoury, from Sidmouth, a Royal Navy veteran, and Rev’d Marisa Cockfield, from Stoke Gabriel, a former Royal Navy reservist. They are travelling with six choral scholars from Exeter Cathedral, who are singing at some of the special services and events taking place.
Also accompanying them are young members of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry and their regimental chaplain.
Members of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the British and Commonwealth Cemetery in Caen on 6 June
The visit has been organised by the local Roman Catholic diocese of Bayeux Lisieux, with which the Diocese of Exeter has had a formal link for over 40 years.
Sarah said “Our links with the Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux remind us that we are part of a wider family of God’s children – there to support and encourage one another in our search for greater peace and reconciliation between nations.”
The party took part in a commemoration at the Memorial de Caen on Wednesday, followed by a special service at Bayeux Cathedral attended by HRH Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence. The day ended at the British and Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bayeux.
Marisa said “Our party of Royal Wessex Yeomanry did a wonderful job and were moved and proud to be part of the day’s events. Our choral scholars led the music at the Mémorial de Caen earlier in the day, offering a poignant anthem by William Henry Harris “Holy is the True Light, and passing wonderful, lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict: from Christ they inherit a home of unfading splendour, wherein they repose with gladness evermore.”
Rev’d Sarah Mounoury with cadets at one of the war memorials
Sarah, who speaks fluent French, took part in a televised panel discussion about the anniversary on a French religious TV channel.
On the 6 June anniversary itself the Cathedral choral scholars and members of the Royal Wessex Regiment laid wreaths and sang an anthem at the British Cemetery.
Sarah said it was a day when “many tears have been shed.” She added: “It is incredibly moving to be part of the events here in Normandy and represent the Diocese of Exeter at the commemorative services.
Choral Scholars from Exeter Cathedral have been singing at some of the remembrance services
“There is a real sense of friendship, peace and shared hope among a diverse gathering of people from many nations and of many ages.
“We have been privileged to meet several veterans and give thanks for their bravery and courage, and seek to share the Gospel messages of love and hope with those we meet.”
On Friday the group will visit the Mémorial at Ver-sur-Mer to lay a wreath and lead the singing in an act of remembrance before returning home.
There are also commemorative events taking place in Devon. The bells at Exeter Cathedral rang out for an hour at midday to mark the anniversary. On Thursday evening, the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev’d James Grier, will be attending a beacon lighting ceremony at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth.