Two blue plaques were unveiled on 11 November 2023 on the Old Dean estate in Camberley by the French Attache from the French Embassy.
The plaques mark the Free French forces camp that was situated on Old Dean Common (1940 to 1944).
The plaques are on Beacon Church and Lorraine School – both buildings are on the site where the camp once stood. Lorraine school adopted the name of the Lorraine Cross, the symbol of the Free French during the Second World War.
The plaque unveiling ceremony at the Beacon Church was attended by UK and French dignitaries and local community groups including; The Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Pat Tedder, Councillor Shaun Macdonald, Leader, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Councillor Trefor Hogg, Surrey County Council, Rt Hon Michael Gove, MP for Surrey Heath, Edouard de Guitaut (Le Souvenir Francais, Great Nephew of Charles de Gualle), Maj L B Gurung MVO (RMA Sandhurst) and representatives from Le Souvenir Français UK.
This historic event has been organised by Surrey Heath Museum in partnership with the local community. The plaques have been kindly funded by the Surrey Councillor Community Fund and Le Souvenir Français UK.