LATCHFORD resident Margaret Shaw is on a mission to encourage Warrington folk to join her on an annual event celebrating friendships forged between North West soldiers and the Dutch people during WWII.
The yearly commemoration from September 14-19, pays tribute to veteran servicemen, which included her father Frank Collopy, a lifelong resident of Latchford who served with the first airborne division during operation “Market Garden” – the “Battle for the Bridge Too Far” in Arnhem. Frank, along with other veterans from Warrington looked forward to travelling back to Arnhem for the commemoration week.
Although Frank passed away in 2007, Margaret is determined to keep the commemoration trip going until at least 2019 which will see the annual gathering mark its 75th anniversary.
He served as a medic as part of the 133 Para Field Ambulance. He was taken prisoner to Oosterbeek while caring for 14 wounded soldiers and served the war out at the infamous Stalag X1B prisoner of war camp at Fallingbostle, Germany until the camp was liberated in May 1945.
Margaret explained: “Over the years the Mersey Arnhem Veterans’ Club has subsidised travel, but funds are now almost expended. Basically, the more people who travel with us the cheaper it comes to funds the coach,”.
The journey, via coach and ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and on to Arnhem is described by Margaret as a “laugh a minute”. The party is made up of veterans, members of the Liverpool Parachute Regiment Association, next-of-kin, relatives, carers and supporters.
“The coach has been running for more than 30 years and started off with around 20 veterans, but now only two of the original group are still living.
“We are only two years away from the 75th Commemorations in 2019 and we aim to keep this trip going until then. It would be really fantastic if we could keep it going beyond that date. The stay in Arnhem is amazing, everyone is welcomed with open arms and the warmth and hospitality is so touching,” added Margaret. The trip includes several very moving services and during the final commemoration service in Oosterbeek Military War Cemetery, hundreds of schoolchildren lay flowers at every grave which Margaret describes as a “real tear jerker”.
Local football team Arnhem Vitesse also request a home game during the commemoration week and treat the veterans, relations and supporters to full hospitality during the game.
“My father’s ashes were interred in Oosterbeek War Military Cemetery. It is important to keep this trip going for as long as is possible to pay our respects to Dad and to the thousands of soldiers who did not make it home in September 1944.” Said Margaret.
Margaret is sure lots of people don’t know about this annual trip and is convinced that many, including current servicemen and women in the town and members of the TA (Warrington Army Reserve Centre) based at Peninsula Barracks and anyone interested in the Battle for the Bridge Too Far would like to join the regular travellers on the coach.
Margaret is also keen to attract sponsorship from any group, individual or business that would like to offer any financial assistance to keep the annual trip going.
For more information, please see Arnhem Veterans Merseyside facebook page.
For further information about the trip or sponsorship please contact Margaret Shaw on (01925) 572833, mobile 07721630204 or email [email protected]
Pictured: Margaret Shaw standing next to “The Friendship Stone” outside The Hartenstein Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, dedicated to the Battle of Arnhem.
