READERS may be interested to know that on June 4 I took my 83-year-old father, Bert Beddows, on a four day visit to Normandy.

His first visit had been by sea on June 6, 1944, where as part of 3 Commando he received a very warm welcome from the German army who were well prepared for his visit. On June 7 he was involved in a fierce action at the Merville Battery some five miles behind enemy lines. Several of his comrades were killed and he was taken prisoner.

For a short period he was a guest of the Gestapo in Paris. They claimed, wrongly, that he had landed in civilian dress contrary to the rules of war. For six months he expected to be executed at any moment. The rest of his war consisted of enforced hard labour. Towards the end he escaped from captivity and after further adventures returned to England weighing rather less than eight stone.

This time the reception was equally warm in a rather different sense.

The hospitality extended to visiting veterans was exceptional. A programme of civic ceremonies and receptions was laid on which were fully supported by the local mayors, dignitaries, military and members of the general population.

Bert and his contemporaries were treated with genuine love and respect for their role in freeing Europe from tyranny and oppression.

This morning, on loading his car, which had been parked legally and without causing obstruction, no more than 30 yards from my own home, he discovered that in his absence a two feet scratch had deliberately been put on the passenger door of his newish but modest Citroen C2.

Needless to say this took some of the gloss off the feeling of warmth that had been generated over the previous few days.

If the person responsible for this damage would like to make contact with me, I will be pleased to discuss the matter further.

John Beddows

Droitwich