Lost keys spark 1,000 mile d-day resuce mission

• 78-year-old travels to Normandy to pay tribute to lost soldiers
• 1,000 mile rescue operation makes most heartwarming story of the summer
   

As D-Day commemorations took place on both sides of the Channel this week, thousands flooded to Normandy to pay tribute to those who lost their lives 70 years ago. One of those who went to show respect was 78-year-old Anthony Radcliffe, who found himself the star of one of the most heartwarming rescue missions of the summer.

Mr Radcliffe, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was in Normandy paying tribute to his father, Lieutenant Edward Radcliffe, who served in the Royal Navy during WWII. As a day of ceremonies drew to a close on Friday 6th June, Mr Radcliffe realised he had lost his car keys, locking his wallet and passport in his Citreon Xsara.

Stranded at his campsite, Camping Des Capucines, with no means of getting home, the ex-school teacher used a phone at the camp to call national breakdown provider Green Flag with the hope of finding a solution to the situation.

Green Flag stepped up to the platform and promised to get the 78-year-old home to his wife Cecilia no matter what, and, in a move that invoked the spirit of Dunkirk, embarked on a 941-mile round-trip from Chesterfield to Normandy to deliver the keys.

Leaving the base in Derby at 1.30pm, Russell George of the Green Flag Patrol travelled to Mr Radcliffe's home in Chesterfield to collect his set of spare keys from home and ferry them across the Channel.

Travelling via Portsmouth Port, Russell boarded the 11pm ferry to Caen, Arriving in France at 6.30am. He then headed straight to Mr Radcliffe in Normandy, finally reuniting him with his keys at 07:30am.

After being handed back his keys, Mr Radcliffe prepared to embark on the journey back to Derbyshire, but not before Green Flag technician Russell ensured the vehicle was road-safe.

The Citroen failed to start at first, but Russell quickly fixed the fault and proceeded to carry out a full car health check so Mr Radcliffe avoided any other hiccups. With everything declared in working order, departed the site and headed back to the UK shore, leaving Mr Radcliffe to enjoy the trip back home. He was reunited with his wife on Saturday 7th June, after four nights away from home.

Mr Radcliffe commented: "It was a week for heroic actions and, while not quite in the same league as the D-Day landings, I can't thank Green Flag enough for coming to my rescue.

"Misplacing keys happens to the best of us, and I'm glad that all was sorted in the end."
 

ENDS

For further information please contact the Green Flag press office at Frank PR:

Chloe Jervis / Emma Watson

0207 693 6999/ greenflag@frankpr.it

Green Flag

With over 40 years experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com