Two former Royal Marines Commandos turned secondary school teachers from Barnstaple, have embarked on a poignant journey to Normandy to pay homage to the heroes of the past.

Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Al and Steve travelled to Normandy on the evening of Saturday, May 25 from Portsmouth, to complete a 32-kilometre run in their full kit to honour those who fought on D-Day.

The run started on the morning of Sunday, May 26. 

The pair, whose service records span from 1989 to 2003 in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, have long sought meaningful ways to honour their military heritage. 

Together, they founded the Royal Marines Commando Shuffle, an annual 12-mile speed march event in Barnstaple, raising funds for the Royal Marines Charity and the Special Boat Service Association. 

This year’s event was particularly significant, as they decided to extend their tribute to the historic beaches of Normandy.

The idea was simple but profound: to take the Commando Shuffle to Sword, Juno, and Gold beaches, where British forces landed on June 6, 1944. 

Al said: “We wanted to take the Commando Shuffle to the beaches that the British secured on June 6th 1944; these beaches are Sword, Juno & Gold beach. So myself and Steve Rogers decided that running the 32 kilometres in our kit would be a great way to pay our respects.”

Their trip began in the small village of Ouistreham, at the start of Sword Beach, where they were dropped off by Al’s father, Bob, a former Royal Navy CWEM(R). 

ABOVE: Left to right – Al Blanchard RM – Bob Blanchard RN – Stephen Rogers RM

The route took them across the “arduous” terrain of Sword and Juno beaches, and finally to the far end of Gold Beach in Arromanches-les-Bains. 

True to the spirit of the Commando Shuffle, they wore their boots and daysacks throughout the march.

Despite the physical challenges, Al and Steve completed the distance. 

Yet, for them, the experience was less about the achievement and more about the remembrance.

Al said: “We were successful in completing the distance, however, it was not about that, it was more about remembering those who sacrificed their lives for ours; it was a very humbling experience.”

Looking ahead, Al and Steve invite all serving or former Royal Marines to join this year’s Royal Marines Commando Shuffle in Barnstaple on October 12. 

Interested participants can contact Al at alblanchard@yahoo.com. 

With 60 potential participants already showing interest, the event promises to be significant.

The pair have said donations to their worthy causes are greatly appreciated. 

Donations can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/alblanchardroyalmarinescommandoshuffle