The Memorial Tour 2009
On October 22nd, Rosslyn Park U15s crossed the Channel to France en route to the historic town of Compiegne, 50 miles northeast of Paris. A major hospital station behind the frontline during the war, the 1918 Armstice was signed there in a forest clearing. Two railway carriages, one French, one German entered the clearing and negotiations were concluded in the isolated woodland. The date was 11th November, forever commemorated as Remembrance Day.
On the way to Compiegne, the touring party visited the Somme battlefields, including the Albert museum, the Lochnagar crater at La Boisselle, the Thiepval Memorial, and the Newfoundland Park.
Our hosts in Compiegne, Rugby Club Compiegnois (RCC) have enthusiastically embraced the Memorial Exchange idea. The French club suffered its own terrible losses with 54 of its 100 playing members killed in the 1914-18 conflict. They are remembered in a monument in the Club grounds. After a service of remembrance, the two teams played a special Memorial Match, and so began a new chapter of friendship between two rugby clubs, united by a common history, affimed by a 'traite de jumelage'.
" We believe that the memorial theme linked to rugby is an ideal way to develop understanding for our younger players and members of what players from both clubs contributed in both world wars."
- Pascal Mitchell & Alain Garcia, RCC
We also revived another ancient French connection by visiting Paris and the Stade de France, venue for the RWC 2007 Final, to watch Stade Francais play Perpignan, as guests of the Stade owner Max Guazzini, to whom we are indebted for this very special day. Rosslyn Park has a strong historic link with Stade, which you can read about here.
We are grateful to the Lefevre Trust at the British Council who have generously helped to fund this unique Anglo-French cultural and sporting joint venture.
If you would like to know more, email enquiry@rugbyremembers.co.uk