A memorial honouring the 154 men from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who were killed or wounded during a battle in France in 1944 has been unveiled.

The plaque, which has been organised by volunteers, was unveiled at Lebisey Wood near Caen on June 7, 78 years to the day since the regiment's second battalion suffered heavy losses during the unsuccessful assault on Lebisey. 

Fundraising for the memorial was launched in 2020 by members of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Re-enactment Group.

Events included a march from Kenilworth's Abbey Fields to St John's Museum in the centre of Warwick which raised over £2,000.

With the money raised and the plaque installed, it was unveiled during a short service on June 7, attended by members of the group, former servicemen and local dignitaries from France.

Speaking to Nub News group member Lewis Betts said the ceremony had brought mixed emotions.

"At the time of the unveiling we were proud," he said. 

"But at the end of the day we came back to the memorial and saw it without any people and it was just there in the corner of the woods that they would have fought at in Lebisey. 

"Just seeing it there, and thinking that people will see it and remember our regiment - that was the most emotional part."

Fundraising for the memorial was organised by the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Re-enactment Group (Image supplied)

Speeches were given at the service, with local councillors promising to hold an annual service at the memorial, regardless of whether anybody could cross the Channel from England to attend.

And Lewis said the mayor and council in Hérouville-Saint-Clair had been incredibly supportive of the project.

"We thought it was going to be tough but there has been great support from the mayor and the mayor's office in France," he added. 

"They have been consulted on everything that we have done, they understand why we are doing it. 

"And they love that we are doing it, and they love that it is volunteers that are doing it and not being paid.

"It is not by the government or the army, it is just in memory of the soldiers."

And he was also quick to thank the many volunteers and fundraisers who had helped make the unveiling possible.

"Special thanks must go to Jason Woods who took the time to communicate with the French people and get everything sorted," he added.

"But above all we need to thank everyone in the group who has contributed to the project."

For a more detailed account of the battle for Lebisey on 7 June 1944, please follow this link.

And to find out more about the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Re-enactment Group, see the Facebook page here.