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Falmouth Twinning Association - Remembrance of Times Past

When the Deputy Mayor of Douarnenez recently joined the 42 strong contingent from Brittany visiting their “twins” in Falmouth, the Falmouth Twinning Association discovered that their varied programme of cultural and leisure visits held a hidden gem for M. William Boulic and his wife, Marie Paule.

On a day out exploring the beautiful Cornish coastline at Coverack, he revealed that his father, Rene, was one of 19 men who escaped Nazi invaded France in April 1943. They braved spectacularly stormy seas, taking some 52 hours before they landed safely in Cornwall, at Coverack.

Talking of his unexpected sentimental journey, he said: “It was absolutely amazing for me to stand somewhere near where my father as a young man stood contemplating fighting for his country.”. “It is incredible to think of their bravery in wanting to come to England to join the Free French led by General de Gaulle,” added M. Boulic.

He also revealed that traveling in the boat was a rescued British aircraft pilot, squadron leader, Gordon Carter, who after the war returned to France to marry the daughter on the farm where he was hidden by the Resistance. William’s father also found romance on the other side of The Channel. Eight months after arriving in Cornwall, he married a Welsh girl from Cardiff where William was born in May 1947. The family returned to Brittany in 1949.

M. Boulic became Deputy Mayor of Douarnenez in March 2008 and is very keen to foster stronger ties with Falmouth. On this trip, for example, links were established with Falmouth Junior Rugby and Falmouth School. “We hope more people will join the twinning and visit our lovely town which has a lot in common with Falmouth,” he urged.

For details on joining Falmouth Twinning which is not only twinned with Douarnenez, France, but also Rotenburg in Germany, contact Nigel Rimmer Tel: 01326 313429.