In Monty’s Footsteps

Viscount Henry Montgomery, the Grandson of Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery (Monty), has been in Coventry for the past three days. This visit was part of his ‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ journey to recreate Monty’s travels throughout Britain in April and May 1944 in the build-up to D-Day in June of that year. 

Henry met the Lord Mayor at the Council House on Friday (10 April) and found out about the Lord Mayor’s peace committee and spoke later to three people who had experienced the war as children and learn. He learnt about the very ‘matter of fact’ way they reacted to the war as it affected Coventry and to the momentous events in the wider world.  

On Saturday, Henry interviewed Patricia Tarver and Brian Pollard, two veterans of Coventry’s Transport Industry, who took part in last year’s Starke photographic project. In the process Henry walked up Far Gosford Street and travelled on the local bus network which he was impressed by.

On Sunday, Dave took Henry to the Coventry Peace Orchard at Coundon Hall Park to speak with Heather Davison, the daughter of Dennis Davison, a D-Day veteran, whose idea it was to create the Orchard. 

Henry was most impressed by both meetings and hopes to speak about the Peace Orchard in Coventry’s twin city of Caen when he returns for a later visit.

You can here more about this visit in this interview on BBC local radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n51lry

You can see more about this visit on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2749772908711549

Dave Hirons