As usual we will be embarking on our annual pilgimage to Normandy in June 2026, and we would like to invite you to join us.
There will be the usual two collection points for the Amport coach on June 4th: 10am at the Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, Waterloo, London, and the second at the Portsmouth ferry terminal at about 12:15pm, aiming to arrive at Hotel Libera in Colombelles late in the evening. Rooms at the hotel have air conditioning, and showers, and are all equipped with towels/shampoo/hairdryers etc.
We usually try and attend all of the key points where the 9th Battalion operations were carried out across Normandy, as well as other commemorative events such as the service at Ranville on the 6th of June. There is usually a day reserved for visiting other sites in Normandy, chosen by the pilgrims.
The coach will return to the UK on the 8th of June.
Costs and Payment
Costs for the trip are TBC, but we’ll update this page with exact prices soon. Last year the trip cost £650 – which included travel by coach and ferry to and from France, and includes all meals. The only cash you’ll need are for meals on the ferry, or drinks at the hotel bar. The costs include a generous contribution to the trip by the French for all members with a direct relation to a 9th Battalion veteran.
Note that the more people that attend the pilgrimage, the less tight the margins become (scale is better for the coach and ferry costs which are fixed but very expensive). So if you and your family would like to attend every year, it will help us avoid having to increase the individual cost in future years.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Paul Hill (dtpaul@hotmail.co.uk) or myself (admin@9thparabattalion.com) to book your spot. For bookings we will need your contact details and payment by March 30th.
Health Insurance
Bookings are non-refundable (since we pay for everything up-front) so please ensure you have adequate travel insurance in case anything impacts your ability to come.
It is essential that you have at least 6 months validity on your current passport & it would be sensible having your Health Insurance Card or applying (at no cost) for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC Get healthcare cover for travelling abroad – NHSBSA will take you to the correct site. This card is NOT travel insurance.
If you have any questions, please send us an email, or post in the Facebook group and we’ll do our best to answer!