Sad News: Peter Matthews
Hi Guys, I knew Peter from my trips to the South of France and I know he was a friend to Navyman (Guy) on the forum.
RIP Peter!
I have added this text sent to me by my French friends:
One of the spiritual fathers of Jean Michel Soldi and Eric Renoux, founders of the Airborne Museum de la liberation of Le Muy passed away this morning.
Peter Matthews was one of the best supporters of their action to paying free tribute to the legacy of the Airborne in operation Dragoon, he was one of those brave paratrooper landed on southern France “D”day and he died this morning aged of 88 .
The most popular British Veterans known in Provence, proud to have never missed a ceremony since the first time he came back to inaugurate the Museum, including this summer in spite of the sikness he was fighting against.
Awarded of the Legion of Honor in August 2004, Peter had always supported their action including with his daughter Sue, his son in Law Alan and his friend Chris Compton to request help of the parachute regiment of the British army during the terrible flood of June 15th, 2010 who destroyed the Museum.
18 years of fidelity in the ceremonies of La Motte, Le Muy, but also Trans and Draguignan cemetery.
He was 17 when he joined the parachute regiment and battling in numerous campaigns As North Africa, Italy with the battles of Cassino, then He had been parachuted at daylight on the 15th of august 1944 on the hill of les béllugues between Le Muy and La Motte with the 4th battalion of the British parachute regiment, he also dropped in Greece, and took part in restoring Palestine in 1947.
his kindness will stay for ever in our hearts. It will always be there with us but the next ceremonies will not be the same any more without him.
He had once again this last summer asked to his friend Jean Michel and Eric to not give up , to rebuilt and to promise to him that one day they will find a good place for a new Airborne museum, in a appropriated building without risk to be destroyed once again by a flood here, in the Drop Zone he had never left since this morning of the 15th of August 1944. The promise will be held by the tow founders for its memory, but also the others friends veterans who left us, as Mickael Compton, Georges Chritie, Baron Thomas Foran, Gary Davis, Lud Gibbons, Ben Barret, Carl Kieffer, Ed Jordan Henri Parlarieu and hundreds others that Mickael and Eric welcomed over 20 years now. All those who had made for the country of France and for freedom the sacrifice of their life.
Condoleances will be forwarded via :
“15 Aout 1944” Airborne Association
Letter box BP79- 83490 Le MUY France
Or Emailed :Anvil-dragoon@hotmail.com
Jean Michel Soldi and Eric Renoux, founders of the Airborne Museum de la Liberation of Le Muy presidents of the Association " 15 Août1944 ".
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"In all my years as a soldier, I have never seen men fight so hard." - SS Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm Bittrich - Arnhem
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