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On August 8th, Vice President of the LAS, Yves Beaujuge gave a lecture on the Lancastria story to a packed audience at Prefaille. Over 150 people crammed into the lecture theatre to learn more about the tragedy of the Lancastria. Monsieur Beaujuge is a stalwart and dedicated local historian on the Lancastria and spent many, many hours researching the events of 17th June 1940 and making sure the memory of that sacrifice is remembered with dignity and honour in France. This is his review of the lecture he gave in August (2008).
The Lancastria lecture of 8th August 2008, unfolded in a very good way. We were very, very surprised to have so many people attend the event. We had to bring in additional seating and allow people to sit in the stairways of the lecture theatre. By 8:30pm we were obliged to close the doors as it was not possible to let anymore people in. The following day some people complained to the city Council and to the office of tourism that they were not allowed in.
The lecture started with introductions and, and I highlighted the role of the Scottish Association and an explanation about my role in this area. We then proceeded to show the 52min version of Christophe Francois’ documentary on the Lancastria.
After the film was shown I took questions from the many people there and continued to do so until 1:30 in the morning. Some of the older people recounted their memories of the era and after the lecture was over I took some details of their experience in the region during the period which covered 17th June 1940.
The lecture followed the unveiling of the model and other artefacts and exhibits at the Semaphore at the Pointe de Saint Gildas in June.
Since giving the lecture I have been approached to give similar talks to some of the big schools in the region. I had been very surprised by the presence of several young people during this lecture.
By Yves Beaujuge
La conférence du 08 août 2008, s’est très bien déroulée. Nous avons été très très surpris d’avoir autant de monde. Nous avons du rajouter des chaises et faire asseoir les gens sur les escaliers. A 20h30, nous avons été obligé de fermer les portes car nous ne pouvions plus faire entrer les gens. Le lendemain, certaines personnes ont été se plaindre à la mairie et à l’office du tourisme car ils n’ont pas pu y assister.
La conférence a commencé par les présentations, et j’ai présenté l’association Ecossaise. Nous avons ensuite diffusé le documentaire en version longue 52 mn. 
Après le film, j’ai répondu pendant 01h30 à toutes les questions que les gens me posaient. C’était formidable. Que du bonheur, lorsque certaine personne ont amené leur témoignage de l’époque. Suite à cette conférence j’ai pris des contacts pour différents témoignages des gens de la région présent ce 17 juin 1940.
Cette conférence fait suite à la remise de la maquette et la cérémonie qui s’est déroulée au sémaphore de la Pointe de Saint Gildas.
J’ai eu d’autres contacts pour d’autres conférences dont plusieurs grandes écoles de la région. J’ai été très surpris aussi par la présence de plusieurs jeunes personnes lors de la conférence du 08 août 2008.
Yves Beaujuge
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