June 7, 1944.

The day after D-Day.

An initial assault on a strategically important French port cost the lives of 11 Royal Marines.

They died, and many more were wounded, as they scaled the cliff overlooking the harbour of Port-en-Bessin.

In total, 46 marines were killed in the battle to retake the town.

Military historian, Major General Julian Thompson, later described the operation by 47 Commando as “one of the great feats of arms of any unit, Royal Marines, Army, Navy or Air Force of any nation in the Second World War.”

General Sir Brian Horrocks, Commander of the British 30th Corps in Normandy, went further.

He said: “It is doubtful whether, in their long, distinguished history, the marines have ever achieved anything finer.”

One of those killed in the initial attack was George Baxter.

His NCO, and best chum, Mark Packer was by his side.

He resolved that ‘Baxter’ – as he always referred to him – and the other fallen marines in that first attack should have a permanent memorial in their honour.

Mark Packer

Now, nearly 77 years later and celebrating his 98^th birthday in July, Mr Packer’s wish has been fulfilled.

An inscribed bench honouring ‘Baxter’ and his ten colleagues has been placed beside the Rue de Phare, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, overlooking the harbour.

It was funded by 47 Royal Marine Commando Association which has ten veterans, including Mr Packer, among its 200 or so members.

As reported on Dorset Biz News, the bench was inscribed by Bournemouth stonemason Sean Stevenson, of Excalibur Stone.

It was carried free of charge from Poole to Cherbourg by Brittany Ferries, after an initial approach to Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Geof Haywood, 77, who lives in Wimborne and is on the association’s committee, said: “Mark is delighted that the bench is there in memory of his colleague, Baxter.

“The seat says 11 men but not names because all 46 lost in the battle are remembered on the Western Feature Memorial.

“It is also planned to put a plaque on the gates of the Western Feature Memorial garden in memory of Marine Baxter.”

Geof, pictured left, who served in the Royal Marines for 23 years from 1960-83, said Mark Packer had been injured during the attack on the Western Feature.

The initial assault was repulsed by the Germans.

Geof said: “Mark was taken in by a French family who dressed his wounds with a torn-up bed sheet.

“Suddenly there was a knock on the door by a neighbour to say the Germans were coming.

“The family moved him into the garden and hid him under a pile of fishing nets.

“It was a very brave gesture by them.

“Had the Germans found the commando, the family would have been killed or taken away.

“Other commandos were hiding in sheds.

“Because the Germans only took a quick look they weren’t spotted.

“Mark has met that family’s now grandchildren plus the neighbours.

“Both families still live in the same houses.

“During that visit he also said he recalled taking cover in a stream, near a farmhouse and by a bridge.

“As that was relatively easy to find Mark went there and said ‘yes, this is the place but I don’t remember that tree.

“The farmer came out of the farmhouse and said ‘we planted that so, no, it wasn’t there on June 7, 1944!”

Mark Packer, pictured front row, left, in World War 2.

Mr Packer was awarded the Military Medal for his actions in the capture of ‘Whisky 11’ bunker on the island of Walcheren, Holland.

The NCO took over his section when his commander was killed during hand-to-hand combat in the hours of darkness.

On November 3, 1944, he charged to take out a machine gun nest.

Although wounded, he threw a smoke bomb into it to effectively silence the enemy position.

The Military Medal recommendation said: “Throughout the best part of two days continuous and fluctuating fighting, much of it at close quarters, this NCO showed the greatest courage, inspiring those around him to further efforts by his cheerfulness, determination and complete disregard for his own safety.”

Geof said an initial unveiling of the memorial bench had taken place at Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.

Among those attending was Christophe Van Roye, Mayor of Port-en-Bessin; the team from the works department, and Alex Wilson, whose father was an officer in 47 Commando and took part in the battle for the town.

Geof said: “They raised a glass to those it remembers as well as all those that sourced and arranged for it to go to France.

“The Mayor has decided to add a chained garden around the bench which will add to it being there and stop cars parking too close to it.

“The Mayor’s Secretary – and CEO of the Town – Mme Jocelyne Lasnon said she’s pleased with it plus others who have seen it say it’s in a perfect position on the hill.

“From the angle of the road, plus the view over the harbour, it will be a well-used amenity as folk read, remember and catch their breath as they walk up the hill.

“A big thank you to all involved from the veterans, our Chairman and the association members.

“The team involved did a very special job for a special memory.”