Herbert George ‘Blondie’ Hasler Talk

Event details:

• Location: Catherington Church Hall
• Fee: £5 donation for service charities
• Date: 9th October 2016
• Time: 19:00 for 19:30
• Organiser: Sarah Schillemore

Herbert George ‘Blondie’ Hasler Talk

Sunday 9th October, 1900 for 1930

‘Blondie’ Hasler was a RM Commando Officer who led, what even the Germans later recognised, 'the most audacious commando raid of WW2'; and he was a Catherington man.

 Cdr Bill Evershed RN retd, who has lived in Catherington all his life and who remembers ‘Blondie’ well, will give a Talk about ‘Blondie’ and Operation FRANKTON at Catherington Church Hall at 7.30pm on Sunday 9th October.

 In 1964, Bill Evershed walked Hasler’s 1942 escape route through France from Bordeaux to Ruffec and has, over the years, attended many of the French commemorations of this Raid.

 His Talk will provide a compelling introduction to the formal Unveiling 8 days later on Monday 17th October of a commemorative Blue Plaque upon what was ‘Blondie’ Hasler’s family home in Catherington; a Ceremony which will be attended by Lord Paddy Ashdown, himself a former Commando of the SBS, Brigadier Richard Spencer, Deputy Commandant General Royal Marines and many members of the RM Association.

 Bill has recently given his Talk to members of the Hampshire Fire Service who are now themselves  seeking to retrace by canoe the Commandos original attack up the Gironde estuary but this time to raise funds for Service Charities. He has also spoken to the local Catherington WI but his Talk on 9th October provides an opportunity for their husbands to attend.

 80 tickets for the evening are available at £5 per head and proceeds will go to Service Charities.  Early application is advised so please e-mail Councillor Sara Schillemore at saraschillemore@gmail.com

 Plenty of car parking is available at the hall.