The Story of a Second World War Massacre and the Two Soldiers Who Survived
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It is with great sadness that we report the death of Royal Norfolk Veteran Bob Brown. Bob's memories and recollections form a major part of this website. We are so grateful to Bob and his family for permission to reproduce material and illustrations from his time fighting in and around Le Paradis. Bob died at the age of 100 in January, 2021.
We are delighted to announce that plans for a permanent memorial to the 97 soldiers who lost their lives at Le Paradis have been passed. For the past 18 months, the Le Paradis Memorial Appeal has been campaigning for a lasting memorial in Norfolk. We are pleased to report that Norwich Cathedral authorities have approved a design and detail of a monument to be erected in the South East bay of St Saviour's Chapel in Norwich Cathedral Close. Work on the memorial is well advanced and it is hoped to have it in place during 2021. In the meantime we have a gallery of photographs of the memorial to whet your appetite. Click here to view this. You can also read more about the appeal by going to its website by clicking here.
The Massacre at Le Paradis
This site is dedicated to the memory of the 97 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Norfolks and 1st Battalion The Royal Scots and other units who were massacred at Le Paradis in Northern France on 27th May, 1940, by troops from the German 3rd Company 1st Battalion 2nd SS Totenkopf Rifle Regiment.
It also features the soldiers who fought in defence of Le Paradis and the surrounding area. Some survived to tell their stories, others died in battle. The site is also dedicated to their memory.
Hell in Paradise looks at all aspects of the massacre - the men who sacrificed their lives, the background, the village of Le Paradis and, in particular, the story and memories of the two survivors - Private William "Bill" O'Callaghan from Dereham in Norfolk and Private Albert "Bert" Pooley from Southall in London. It also looks at the years after the massacre and the effect it had on families and those left behind.
The site has been put together thanks to the co-operation of experts on the subject, residents of the French village of Le Paradis, along with the families of Bill O'Callaghan and Bert Pooley and descendants of others who died in the massacre or who fought in the area in the days leading up to the event. Many of the documents and photographs featured have never been available to the public, including Private O'Callaghan's personal diaries.
The image further up this page was drawn by Captain Charles Long and is reproduced by kind permission of the Long Family. You can see more of Captain Long's art by clicking here.
To read about how this web site came into being click here. To read about the site launch click here.
It also features the soldiers who fought in defence of Le Paradis and the surrounding area. Some survived to tell their stories, others died in battle. The site is also dedicated to their memory.
Hell in Paradise looks at all aspects of the massacre - the men who sacrificed their lives, the background, the village of Le Paradis and, in particular, the story and memories of the two survivors - Private William "Bill" O'Callaghan from Dereham in Norfolk and Private Albert "Bert" Pooley from Southall in London. It also looks at the years after the massacre and the effect it had on families and those left behind.
The site has been put together thanks to the co-operation of experts on the subject, residents of the French village of Le Paradis, along with the families of Bill O'Callaghan and Bert Pooley and descendants of others who died in the massacre or who fought in the area in the days leading up to the event. Many of the documents and photographs featured have never been available to the public, including Private O'Callaghan's personal diaries.
The image further up this page was drawn by Captain Charles Long and is reproduced by kind permission of the Long Family. You can see more of Captain Long's art by clicking here.
To read about how this web site came into being click here. To read about the site launch click here.
"Although the sands of time run out
the sands of Dunkirk
will forever remain in our memories."
the sands of Dunkirk
will forever remain in our memories."
“The golden evening brightens in the west
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest
Alleluya! Alleluya!”
Verse six: For All the Saints (Sine Nomine): W. Walsham How 1823-97/ R Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest
Alleluya! Alleluya!”
Verse six: For All the Saints (Sine Nomine): W. Walsham How 1823-97/ R Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Dennis O’Callaghan has produced a commemorative booklet for the 80th anniversary of the massacre. The booklet contains details of the massacre and many photographs, including some of the most poignant ever seen. The booklets are on sale, with net proceeds (after costs) going to the Le Paradis Commemoration Group, to help preserve for posterity the detailed archive of the massacre on this website.
The cover artwork (left) is from the picture in the office of the Mayor of Lestrem (the administrative centre for Le Paradis).
Only a limited number of booklets are for sale. They are priced from £10. To buy a copy and support the Commemoration Group please email DTLeducation@gmail.com
The cover artwork (left) is from the picture in the office of the Mayor of Lestrem (the administrative centre for Le Paradis).
Only a limited number of booklets are for sale. They are priced from £10. To buy a copy and support the Commemoration Group please email DTLeducation@gmail.com
New On The Site: To find out what has been recently added to the site click here.
NOTICE: Wherever possible we have endeavoured to obtain permission to use all material on this site. No violation of copyright or trademark is intended.