What Le Paradis is all about for us is enduring friendship combined with sacrifice. It started in 1940 on 26th May at Calonne-sur-Lys where The Royal Scots were in Brigade Reserve. “The Royal Norfolks, those old and firm friends of The Royal Scots, had gone forward to the La Bassée Canal four miles to the south and there was word of heavy fighting.” (Augustus Muir, The First of Foot: With the B.E.F. In France 1939-40). When news arrived of an Enemy Patrol across the Canal The Royal Scots moved up taking prisoners and began moving into the positions they would hold the next day until out of ammunition. Friendship with the people of Paradis began in the days after the Battle when they returned and buried our dead who they found in and around their shattered homes. The Pipes and Drums are rightly known for their stirring music but are primarily infantry soldiers and provide defence for Battalion Heaquarters. In 1940 Pipe Major Allan and his platoon died in that task at the Battalion Headquarters in Rue de Derrière outside the home of the Delassus Family. The Delassus Family on return buried The Royal Scots fallen and defied the Germans by guarding the grave whenever they passed a high risk during occupation until reinterment in 1942. Grandson Christian Delassus is a member of the Harmonie de Lestrem which played on Saturday. Friendship continued in Paradis when the Commemorations began and among the first to attend was Major Jimmy Howe, a Bandsman with The Royal Scots in 1940, later a Director of Music. The Harmonie de Lestrem plays arrangements composed by Major Howe including “Pentland Hills”. Jimmy attended and played The Last Post beautifully on his Cornet into his ‘80s, shortly before his death.

The French Army Liaison Officer with The Royal Scots in 1939 and 1940 and a Prisoner of War with them until 1945 was Captain Michel Martell of the famous Cognac family. His grandson Thierry Firino Martell joined us at the Church. He arranged for a special bottle of Martell to be delivered to our one surviving veteran, Major John Errington, 103 years of age who was greatly cheered to be reminded of his WWII comrade. (John died on 29th August 2022 shortly after marking his 104th Birthday).

Of course individuals will still visit Paradis and its Memorials. This year we wanted to continue to thank our friends in Paradis and Lestrem Commune for their many years of friendship and devotion to the memories of 1940 and hospitality for us since and presented a David Ogilvie Wrought Iron Bench with silhouettes of the 1940 Royal Scots, Poppies, Bleuets, our Cap Badge (St Andrew) , our Motto “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit” and a message of Dedication that will stay in the Commune.