Dutch cyclists honouring soldiers

The cyclists are expected to take around four days to reach their destination

Dutch workers are cycling from a south Wales town back to their homeland in tribute to the soldiers who liberated their city in World War II.

The 25 council employees from s'Hertogenbosch will peddle 400 miles from Pontypridd to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation.

Soldiers from the Rhondda Cynon Taf town were involved in the operation in October 1944 by 53rd (Welsh) Division.

The cyclists will take a symbolic "liberty fire" flame back with them.

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, The Welch Regiment, who were based in Pontypridd, were the first to make it into s'Hertogenbosch in 1944 as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division.

Links between Pontypridd and the Dutch city were established 14 years ago by The Royal Welsh Regimental Association Pontypridd (s'Hertogenbosch) branch and since then officials and members of the public from both places have been on exchange visits to remember those who fought.

I am constantly humbled by the respect and gratitude that the citizens of s'Hertogenbosch afford their liberators Gareth Pennell, The Royal Welsh Regimental Association Pontypridd (s'Hertogenbosch) branch

Former branch chairman Gareth Pennell, who has helped to organise the cycling trip, said their counterparts in s'Hertogenbosch felt the 65th anniversary would be one of the last opportunities to commemorate the liberation while the surviving soldiers were alive.

"The liberators who are left are mostly in their 80s now," he said.

"They are becoming less in number. Ten years ago, 300 were at the commemoration ceremony in s'Hertogenbosch. Now there are only around 40 left.

"Because of the falling number of liberators and the frailty of those who remain, it has been decided that this year will be the last ceremony on a grand scale, and an extra special effort is being put into the whole event."

Mr Pennell said members of The Royal Welsh Regimental Association, Pontypridd (s'Hertogenbosch) Branch and pupils from Cardinal Newman Catholic School would be going over for the annual commemoration ceremony on 25 October.

The "liberty fire" flame which the cyclists are carrying across will also be used in the ceremony.

"We have driven the relationship but having said that it is valued by the people of the city and they never baulk at coming across," he said.

"I am constantly humbled by the respect and gratitude that the citizens of s'Hertogenbosch afford their liberators."

Civic reception

The cyclists will be welcomed with a civic reception followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the s'Hertogenbosch stone on Pontypridd Common.

It will be a tour in memorial and respect for our liberators Jan van Poppel, cyclist' leader

The group will be accommodated overnight at Cardinal Newman Catholic Comprehensive School, Rhydyfelin, before setting off on the first leg of their journey on Sunday, when they cycle to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

On Monday they peddle to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and on Tuesday they join their ferry at Harwich, Essex, for an overnight crossing to the Hook of Holland.

The final stage of the journey will see the cyclists take the flame to the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Uden, where 106 casualties of the battle for the city are buried.

Jan van Poppel, group leader of the cyclists, said: "Each member of the group is very enthusiastic about the ride and bringing the liberty fire from Wales to s'Hertogenbosch, because they have heard so many impressive stories about the war from their colleagues, parents and grandparents.

"The group has been training hard to make this a successful tour. It will be a tour in memorial and respect for our liberators."