THE MASSACRE AT LE PARADIS - HELL IN PARADISE - MAY1940.
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The following photographs were taken at the May 2018 Commemoration event at Le Paradis and also feature the opening of the Memorial Museum. Photographs courtesy of Ralston Ryder and Brent Greenwood and reproduced with their kind permission. There is also a piece written about the event and the opening of the museum by Dennis O'Callaghan.
Memories by Dennis O'Callaghan
​
On Saturday 26th May, 2018, in a small French village called Le Paradis the annual service took place to remember the terrible massacre which took place in the vicinity 78 years ago.

The annual service remembers those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

The first service each year is at the barn where the massacre took place - it is a very moving service conducted by the Reverend Phil Hiscock. Myself and Ralston Ryder, the son of Captain Lisle Ryder, are the two main participants, laying wreaths. Other wreaths are laid by the Royal Scots, the Royal Norfolks and the Mayor of Lestrem.

We then move down to the church after a two mile march. We march with the standards fluttering in the wind as it is a hot day - about 40 degree plus. Standards joined en route. On arrival at the church more wreaths are laid - again representing the services along with a wreath from Hugh King representing the home British Legion branch of Bill O'Callaghan (Dereham in Norfolk).

The third service is at the Commonwealth Cemetery where the 97 men from the massacre are interred. This is a moving service with all the standards lined around the memorial cross. A cuckoo sings in the still air - he seems to be there every year. Perhaps he is the spirit of one of the men paying his tribute and respects.

I was honoured to once again read Lawrence Binyon's exhortation. Another speaks the Kohima Epitaph and this concludes the service before we move on for drinks prior to the opening of the History Room.

​The opening of the new museum is on schedule and we all assemble again in front of the church where we had just held a service. The room is covered in a British Union Jack with the door cut out for access. A French member of Parliament is present dressed in blue. He looks very smart. The mayor and his deputy are both there. A ribbon is across the entrance to the museum and this is held by two local schoolchildren. A young girl is given the honour by the mayor of cutting the ribbon.

Then we enter and on the walls is the story of what happened here 78 years ago and details of the ongoing consequences which will continue for many years to come as the French people educate their children about what happened here in May 1940. That way the story of Le Paradis is passed down the generations in perpetuity.
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