A well-attended and highly successful lunch at the Cabinet War Rooms, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, helped raise much-needed funds for the charity.
The event, which included a tour of the rooms from which Prime Minister (later Sir) Winston Churchill helped mastermind the Allied success in WW2, began with a Champagne reception generously provided by sponsors Taittinger.
Former Director of the Cabinet War Rooms Peter Reed OBE entertained the guests with interesting wartime tales of Churchill’s time in the building before the visitors were joined by the Prince for lunch. The Royal visitor had been welcomed by Annette Oliver, chairman of the Hill 112 Memorial Foundation, accompanied by committee member Peter Williams.
Guests at the lunch were reminded of the contribution made by Annette’s father, Gunner Albert Figg, and his comrades in the 43rd Wessex Division to the British Army’s taking of Hill 112, a vital but bloody battle that allowed the Allies to continue to move southwards after the D-Day landings in June 1944.
Albert’s tireless work has resulted in the impressive Hill 112 Memorial in northern France, and the Trust is now working to realise his final dream – a documentary film about the Battle that cost many lives but placed such an important part in the Allied victory.
Peter Williams is close to completing this major project and the money raised at the Cabinet War Rooms lunch, and at an auction held as part of the event, will contribute towards this and towards completing and maintaining the memorial on Hill 112.
Prince Edward paid his own tribute to the work of Albert and his colleagues in 1944 and to the work of the foundation in honouring their memory and was thanked by Brigadier Anthony Faith CBE, former commander of the 43rd Wessex Division.
Captions (in order):
Peter Read OBE explains the background to the historic venue
Inside the Cabinet War Rooms
HRH Prince Edward, Annette Oliver and Peter Williams MBE
Chairman Annette Oliver introduces HRH Prince Edward to guests at the dinner
Brigadier Anthony Faith CBE, Peter Willliams MBE and Annette Oliver
