Rallye des Commandos Cafe, Avenue De la Motte Piquet, Paris, c. 1956

[Photo from the collection of James Albert Norton, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals courtesy of his son Barry Norton].

The photo is signed on the reverse by the owner Madame Doulin after Barry's mother and father visited on a trip to Paris in 1956. Many other veterans also visited when in Paris.

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 27 (1958)
"Returning via Paris, we were again indebted to our French comrades for transportation, and to dear Madame Doulin at the Rallye des Commandos for her kind hospitality and assistance which is beyond all praise".

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 47 (1968)
"COMMANDO RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS CLOSES
We feel sure all members will be sorry to receive the news, that due to poor health in recent years, Monsieur and Madame Doulin decided a few months ago, to sell their cafe in Paris, "The Rallye des Commandos". It is quite impossible to find words which adequately express our debt of gratitude to these two dear friends of the Commandos. Their kindness and hospitality to Commando visitors during the past twenty years was something all those who were privileged to experience this can never forget, and their support to our Association was indeed considerable. To them both we extend our very sincere best wishes for their future good health and a long and happy retirement, and venture to hope that we may enjoy the pleasure of having them with us at a Commando function in London in the not too distant future".