We are always delighted to receive new items for our ever-growing Old Emanuel book collection stored in the permanent School Archive. Geology of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, 1944 was gratefully received from co-author Edward (Ted) Rose (OE1952-59).

From an historical ‘Emanuel’ point of view we have carried out a lot of research into D-Day, but knew nothing of the geology, which is covered in extensive detail in this fine book.

Ted is posing with his book in his Dorset home and if you look behind him you will spot some Emanuel connections. As Ted explains: “wall-mounted shields illustrate my educational background.  These ornamented successive offices throughout my career in university lecturing until I retired: Emanuel/St Edmund Hall/University of Oxford.”

Ted also provides some background to the book:

“I first met my “Guide”, co-author Claude Pareyn in 1994. He was preparing a major public lecture to be hosted by the University of Caen as its contribution to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day landings in June that year.

Claude was selected because of his own memories of France in 1944 and eminent status within the University – but as a geologist he chose to focus on the geological aspects of D-Day.  He contacted the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham for help with information to prepare his lecture – and the Museum referred him to me. As the senior geologist in the British reserve army at that time and someone who had published articles on aspects of military geology in the Royal Engineers Journal, I duly provided written help. I was invited by Claude and his wife to spend a week with them so that I could attend the lecture and help consume the vast amount of champagne and fine nibbles that the University would be serving to its guests afterwards.  He suggested that I gain the Army’s approval to attend in military uniform (as then a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers) rather than academic dress – and I did so.  All went well until a well-meaning French dignitary – working the crowd – enquired: “Eh bien mon colonel: and what did you you do on D-Day?”.  I had to admit: “Not a lot. I was only three years old at the time …”  The week with Claude initiated joint work that generated several publications in later years.”

Many thanks to Ted for kindly inscribing the book to the school. Please get in touch with us if you have any interesting publications we might not have in school: oe@emanuel.org.uk

Tony Jones, Archivist