We met up with our group of Reunionists at the Hotel de la Cathedrale in downtown Metz that evening after our return from Verdun for drinks and introductions, then dinner at an Algerian restaurant for lamb and coffee. I knew no one there that I remembered but we all had one thing in common, a part of our lives spent growing up in this historic corner of France from the mid fifties to the late sixties. There were twenty five of us from all parts of Canada and some who now lived in France, all in their sixties and seventies. Our coordinator, Doug Pincock, who lives half the year in Paris, the other half in Nova Scotia, had arranged a bus tour the next day of some of our old haunts, the highlight being Château Mercy where many of our parents worked, including my own father. Marie and I had visited the Château three years ago on our European trip but had not been able to go inside. Fortunately arrangements had been made for us to explore the interior, empty now except for the still impressive Art Nouveau wall mouldings, doors, statues of women symbolizing the four seasons and a huge Renaissance fireplace. The Château has had a long and interesting history since it was reconstructed in 1905. During the First World War it was occupied by the German army and used as a convalescent home during WWII. The American army occupied it in 1946 and in 1952 it became headquarters of the 1st Canadian Air Division, until their departure in 1967. We had our photos taken on the worn stone steps outside and on the grand staircase leading up to the second floor inside. Press from the local Metz paper Le Republican Lorraine were on hand as well and we were mentioned in the paper the following day along with our group photo. The future of the Château is still up in the air and only time will tell if the Metz-Metropole consortium now responsible for it will be able to refurbish and maintain this still magnificent building.
 |
| Metz Brats 2017 (I'm in the baseball cap on the left) |
 |
| all above, interior of Chateau Mercy |
 |
| article in Le Republican Lorraine |
After leaving the Chateau we stopped off at the site of the old General Navereau schools, the buildings still standing and in use. Before heading out of town to visit the Choloy Cemetery we drove to the PMQs in Bellecroix. I was amazed at how little they had changed in 50 years and it was as if time had stood still for me. The fortifications where we played as kids could still be seen, although much had been walled up to prevent access to the tunnels. From there it was almost an hours drive to the Choloy Cemetery. Choloy is a small village 28 kilometres from Nancy, 3 kilometres west of Toul. The cemetery there is the final resting place of casualties from the First and Second World Wars. It is here as well where Canadian servicemen and their families who died during peace time serving in Europe as part of 1 Air Division (1953 -1967) are buried. It was a very beautiful and moving place, immaculately maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We laid a wreath and said a few words to those fallen friends and fellow Canadians before boarding the bus and returning to Metz. Dinner that night was at a small restaurant near the Cathedral, La Cloche. The next day we were to go on a guided tour of the city and then a final farewell to the group as we dispersed. gws
 |
| PMQs, Metz |
 |
| a memory from my youth! |
