Film charting war veteran’s efforts to be shown to forces

Story of heroism to get ‘attention it deserves’

A documentary about a Canterbury war hero who fought to create a memorial for his fallen comrades is being shown as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

Albert Figg fulfilled his dying wish after campaigning for 30 years for special recognition for the 7,000 men who fell defending ‘Hill 112’ in Normandy during the Second World War.

He died in 2017 having raised funds for a Challenger tank to be placed at the site as a tribute to the tank crews who lost their lives, as well as a statue of an infantryman in recognition of the thousands of foot soldiers who died.

But he sadly passed away before he could see his project for an arboretum in the form of a Maltese cross of trees come to fruition, which was later unveiled by the Duke of Wessex, Prince Edward.

The documentary called the Battle for Hill 112, produced by

Canterbury film-maker Peter Williams, tells the story of the epic battle and Albert’s legacy and premiered in the city last month.

Now, it has been bought by the British Forces Broadcasting Service to be shown on Forces TV and to all British forces during the Jubilee celebrations on June 2and3.

“This is a soldier’s story, of heroism, determination and achievement, relevant to servicemen and women everywhere,” said Nicola Green of BFBS.

“It is also the story of a battle which, amid all the coverage of D-day and the weeks that followed, has not had the attention it deserved. We are delighted to have secured it for its first broadcast.”

The battle for Hill 112 was one of the bloodiest of the conflict and Albert was a gunner who fired 25 pound shells at the enemy and their mighty Panzer tanks as they fought to gain control of the coastline.

Albert’s daughter Annette Oliver, who chairs the Foundation he created, says her father would be immensely proud that the film is being broadcast to service men and women.

“It is so appropriate that its first audience should be made up of those who are today putting their lives on the line for the safety of this country,” she said.

She says she is also “very moved” that the broadcasts will be part of the programmes marking the Queen’s Jubilee.

The Foundation aims to raise £200,000 to complete and maintain the memorial on Hill 112.

Donate via www.hill112.com.

Albert Figg (seated) and colleagues at the memorial

Veteran Albert Figg