Captain Francois Jean, French Consul reading citation
National de la Legion Honneur.
This was introduced by Napoleon
Bonaparte on the 19th May 1802 as the
highest decoration in France. There are
five Degrees of the Award itself from
“Chevalier” (Knight) to “Grand Cross”. It
is awarded for excellent civil or military
conduct following “official investigation”.
The first award was made on the 14th July
1804.
Eastbourne was to host its Annual Armed
Forces Day at the Redoubt Fortress on the
Seafront.
the Mayor of Eastbourne, Janet Coles,
the Local MP, Caroline Ansell and other
dignitaries attended.
The Redoubt is one of a series of forts built
along the South Coast intended to deter
enemy landings during the Napoleonic
Wars. Today the site is a fine military
museum and was an ideal location for the
event.
Colonel M J N Richards, President of
Eastbourne Combined Ex-Services
Association hosted the event.
In addition to being awarded to French
citizens it is considered by the French
Government to be the highest award for
bravery that may be awarded to Foreign
Nationals.
This event is held nationally and its aim is
to recognise and boost the morale of the
Armed Forces serving worldwide. It also
promote their families who support them,
also the reservists who give up their spare
time, the Cadet forces (over 130,000 of
them), and finally the veterans, many of
whom are disabled.
It was because of this that the person
chosen to present this award to Pat on
behalf of the French Government was
Captain Francois JEAN, Consul Honoraire
de France.
It was clear to me that this award was
not given lightly. This meant that full
attention was required to ensure that its
presentation and the right venue with the
maximum exposure had to be correct and
formal protocol observed.
Fortunately, the ideal event was already
on the calendar. On the 28th June
So it is a very important day for everyone
involved and in Eastbourne it is very well
supported. This year the Service it would
also have an important investiture on the
programme.
Therefore, on Sunday 28th June 20115
the Annual Drumhead Service was held,
the weather was kind to us and the
attendance was excellent.
The Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, Peter Field,
An ex-submarine Commander Rear
Admiral A J Whetstone CB, Senior
National Vice President and past President
of the Submariners Association also
attended, he was there by very special
request of the Sussex Branch of the
Association.
The Service was very moving and the
level of support given by the public was
exceedingly rewarding.
Captain Francois JEAN spoke of his
country`s appreciation for the way in which
the liberation of France had been achieved
by men such as Pat and added his own
personal thanks emphasising that his
own Father had been a prisoner of war in
Germany at the time.
Pat stood proudly to receive the award
and I must admit that standing there with
him was for me a very special privilege,
here was a man who had been through his
73