The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
"Keep 'em Moving"

Thankyou (Merci) 

from

France 2004


Although the following letters were sent to my Father, they apply to all the brave men, whatever their nationality. The genuine and generous thanks given to my Father and other veterans, during their visit for the Normandy celebrations, was simply over-whelming.


The letter (left), was sent to George Sands in October 2003, as a result of Jerome Cahagnet asking a question on the Scottish Military History forum page.

He wanted to know which Scottish regiment liberated his Grandmothers village,

Sainte Pierre sur Dives in 1944. The letter reads as follows:

Dear Mr Sands, Let me introduce to you, my name is Jerome Cahagnet, I'm French and live near Nantes(west coast). I am 31, married and have 2 sons.

I hope you will understand this letter because of my bad language and my poor vocabulary!!!

For a long time, I sought information and ex-service man about the battalion which fought in my Grandmothers village of Saint Pierre sur Dives (Normandy) in August 1944.

I asked for it on internet and, one day, I have receive a precious answer from Richard. He said it was your battalion, 5th Queens Own Cameron which entered Saint-Pierre.

I read with interest the tribute to you made by Richard and for me you are a hero. I feel very small in front of what you did.

I am sorry, I'm talking from the bottom of my heart and I'd like to say Merci, thankyou with a great "T".

Thankyou for what you did, thankyou for contributing to save my country, thankyou for the courage and the values you done. Simply thankyou.
It's an honour for me to know a man of valour like you. I hope we could meet one day in Normandy or other.
I wish you good health and a long life. Please take care of you.

Sincerely best regards to you and yours.

Jerome.

The letter, right, was sent to George when it was decided to travel to Normandy for the
60th anniversary celebrations;

Dear Mr Sands, Richard have told me that you will receive a Medal from the people of France on June 12 in Sainte Honorine. I'm very happy for that. This medal is a symbol.

Citizens of Sainte Honorine thank his hero, people of France will be always grateful to you and your comrades. Once again, it's difficult to me to say what I feel because of my poor English vocabulary, but I want you to know that I would try to be in St Honorine on June 12.

If you agree, I'd like to shake hands with you and tell you how I'm lucky to know you. Thanks to you and your comrades, I can live in a free country.

I hope you are well, I hope I could see you!

At the place where you lose your blood, there is a red rose that grown. This is my tribute to a bren gunner that have kicked Germans out, this is my tribute to you.

THANK YOU.

Jerome Cahagnet


 "Soldier of my liberty"
The framed poem read and presented to George Sands by Jerome Cahagnet June 12th 2004. It was presented with such emotion and sincerity, that tears were evident all round.

Jerome and George, Sainte Honorine, France, 

12th June 2004 

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