On Sunday 23rd July 2006 at 2100 hrs, Terence Otway, Commanding Officer of the 9th Battalion the Parachute Regiment during its victorious assault on the Merville Battery on the 6th June 1944, fought his last battle.  In his 93rd year, surrounded by his closest relatives, he passed away near his home on the outskirts of London.

Sir John Holmes’ Speech:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is both an honour and a pleasure for me today to preside over this ceremony of the award of the MBE to M. Paz. Thank you all for being here.  I ask that M. Paz joins me here whilst I recount why the Her Majesty The Queen has decided to honour him, and then I will present his decoration. Following that there will be photographs and we will celebrate the event with a glass of champagne.  Olivier Paz, you have been the Mayor of Merville-Franceville for more than ten years. You have overseen the 50th and the 60th Anniversaries of D Day in your village and played the major role in the ceremonies, to which not only France but also her allies, primarily Great Britain, attach great importance…"

The silence in honour of the dead at the Battery was evocative. Only the sound of the ropes tapping on the flagstaffs could be heard. Sixty seconds of solemn homage...

After laying wreaths in honour of the dead at the 9th Battalion Memorial Stone the veterans marched in column past the assembled dignitaries, His Excellency Sir John Holmes, Monsieur Olivier Paz MBE, Her Excellency Madame l’ambassadrice en mission, Monsieur le Sénateur, Monsieur le Député, General Councillors, Mayors and Municipal Councillors, the Defence Attaché of Great Britain, members of the Gendarmerie Nationale, members of the 6th Regiment of Attack Helicopters, the standard bearers.

The inauguration of the Place du 9ème Bataillon took place with the 9th Battalion veterans, the Mayor Monsieur Olivier Paz and numerous friends of the Merville Battery Museum in attendance. In the picture below Gordon Newton, Secretary of the 9th Battalion Reunion Club and Pascaline Dagorn, Director of the Museum unveil the new street sign.
The Mayor then delivered the inaugural speech.
…” Since just a few minutes ago the commune of Merville has a new address, the Place du 9th Battalion. We already have the rue de la batterie in remembrance of this tragic place, and rue du Colonel Otway to celebrate he who commanded the attack, and now we have the Place of the 9th Battalion which will tell future generations the name of the Unit which performed so heroically here.
Pascaline, the director of the museum, whom I am sure you all know and appreciate, had this idea in mind for several years. She is willing, persistent and determined and she needed to be, because in France, every new street name needs to pass through numerous bureaucratic hurdles and local consultations.  She knew how to overcome these obstacles in order that the name of the 9th Battalion would be written forever at the entrance to this battery; a site where thousands of visitors pass, and every year the number of visitors and the interest they show, goes up.
Our gathering today allows me Pascaline, to thank you publicly in front of our veterans for all your efforts for the battery museum, ensuring that the story of the 9th Battalion action here remains vivid”.
New Address:
The Merville Battery Museum - Place du 9ème Bataillon - 14810 MERVILLE-FRANCEVILLE, France.

Following the inauguration of thePlace du 9ème Bataillon the crowd gathered around two commemorative plaques laid before two newly planted trees. The plaques were unveiled in the presence of members of their respective families.
Monsieur le Maire said:
“We have also recently unveiled some memorial plaques by the newly planted trees. The first in memory of Barney Ross, a 9th Battalion Company Sergeant Major who, on the night of 5th 6th June 1944, with only a few men and insufficient weapons, in the rank of led the attack on casemate No 3 to neutralise the gun howitzer inside. In spite of all the problems that night, Barney achieved his mission.
The second tree has been planted in memory of Major William Mills, our friend Bill who was an outstanding Chairman of the 9th Battalion Reunion Club, and a tireless member of the association that manages and develops the Battery museum.
Bill’s life, right up to his last breath, was synonymous with correctness and involvement, he remains an example to us all, and I want to say this to his wife Doris, who I am delighted to say, is with us this evening”.
There followed a speech from Colonel Ben Arkle, President of the 9th Battalion Reunion Club.
"M. le Maire, very many thanks for the warm welcome you have given to the 9th Battalion and the veterans today.
We are delighted that you have been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen by the award of the Member of the British Empire in recognition of all that you have done for her Armed Forces since the end of the war.
We the members of the 9th Parachute Battalion who were part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade, itself part of the 6th Airborne Division, return each year to pay homage at this part of France and to remember those who fell during the action to silence the guns of the Merville Battery.
The 9th Battalion is unique because it enjoys a firm link with you, the people of Merville Franceville.
Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway and his wife Jean are not able to be with us this evening because of health reasons, but he sends his best wishes to you his French friends and his congratulations to M. Paz on the award of the MBE. Terence has been particularly touched by the kindness shown over the years by the people of this village.
As you know, our President Emeritus, Major Bill Mills died last year, but his devoted wife Doris is here this evening.
I repeat what was said last year, that the people here and the veterans are one big family. We come back not only to pay homage but also to preserve an eternal flame of friendship between us.
We hope that this spirit will continue and, no matter wherever we may find ourselves on 6th June, we will reflect during a few minutes of silence.
Plus est en vous, vive la France."

Each year since the 50th Anniversary of D Day.
The curry evening is pleasure not to be missed.  British military chefs come over to France to prepare the dish in its traditional form.
Two buffets are laid out with cards explaining the food, the condiments and the sauces, and how hot they are!
An orchestra is present to provide background music whilst dining and for dancing afterwards. A splendid evening is enjoyed by all.
So, until next year…

Here we see Sir John Holmes sharing the moment with Gordon Newton, Secretary of the 9th Battalion Reunion Club and Pascaline Dagorn in observance.

A camp with men in period uniform, equipment, a jeep. A re-enacted scene kindly provided by l'Association France 44.