One of the most rewarding...

things about researching history is that it almost always brings you into contact with people you would otherwise never have met. Naturally this has an added advantage in that you are able to chat to people who share your passion and interests and so I was particularly thrilled to begin a new conversation with Ken Parker who is the co founder of the Bedford Boy's Tribute Centre in Bedford, Virginia.

When I wrote my book on the SS Empire Javelin and her role in D-Day, I had no idea of just how devastating the casualties on Dog Green Beach were to that one small town. Although I wrote about many of the guys who lost their lives, I was not able to get close to them as I just did not have the materials to hand. But it is heartening to see and understand just how much has been preserved by Ken and his wife Rosie - I was especially moved to see an image of the teletype printer on which the telegrams started to flow into the town weeks after June 6th 1944 carrying the news of one death after another and shattered the hopes and dreams of so many in the town.

I hope to build on our new relationship as I have a lot I still want to write about concerning that morning and that beach - please follow my Instagram #doggreenbeach, where I have nearly 2,000 followers, for any news as and when I get it.

Part of the Bedford Boys Tribute Centre in Bedford, Virginia, USA - image kindly send by Ken Parker.