6th August 2007

Leger Holidays Contribution Enables Completion of Battlefields Memorial Site

Leger Holidays, the UK’s leading provider of battlefield tours, has contributed over €1,000 to improve visitor facilities and the museum at Merville Battery, a landmark site of the Second World War, highlighting its commitment to preserving the memory of the war

The site commemorates the assault on the Guns at the Merville Battery, one of the epic stories of D Day. The guns, part of the defences of Sword Beach, had to be put out of action by 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, to prevent the loss of many casualties. Despite losing over 600 men during the attack the operation was successful, with only 80 men walking away afterwards.

In June of this year Ian Henry, Managing Director of Leger Holidays presented a cheque for €1,095 to the museum. Leger’s contribution has enabled significant improvements to the site including a recreation of the battle – using sound, smell and light, an evocative memorial to the men of the 9th Battalion, and the creation of an educational walkway.

Ian Henry, said: “We have been visiting the site for the past ten years and always taken an active interest in the work here. Many Leger passengers have made financial contributions to the upkeep and improvement of the site and Angus Newbould, part of the Leger management team, is now a Committee Member of the 9th Battalion Veterans’ Association.

“This recent donation marks our commitment to preserving the memory of the battlefields as well as our dedication to providing the best battlefields tours.

“We already have excellent relationships with organisations involved in preserving battlefield sites across Europe and hope to be working to improve facilities for visitors to war memorials in the future”.

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