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| D-Day time capsule found in car | D-Day time capsule found in car |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| On the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings, a "time capsule" has been found in a vintage car hidden away during the Nazi occupation of France. | On the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings, a "time capsule" has been found in a vintage car hidden away during the Nazi occupation of France. |
| An Allied banknote issued on the eve of the landings and a packet of Navy Cut cigarettes were discovered in the yellow 1926 Citroen B12 Bolangerie. | An Allied banknote issued on the eve of the landings and a packet of Navy Cut cigarettes were discovered in the yellow 1926 Citroen B12 Bolangerie. |
| Llangollen Motor Museum owner Gwilym Owen said he just started restoring the roof lining when the items fell out. | Llangollen Motor Museum owner Gwilym Owen said he just started restoring the roof lining when the items fell out. |
| The vehicle is believed to have been owned by a wealthy French winemaker. | The vehicle is believed to have been owned by a wealthy French winemaker. |
| Mr Owen said: "It was a real surprise to have such an evocative piece of world history just drop on your lap like that. | Mr Owen said: "It was a real surprise to have such an evocative piece of world history just drop on your lap like that. |
| "We have absolutely no idea who these things belonged to and I just hope they were left in the car due to a lapse in memory rather than being a casualty of war." | "We have absolutely no idea who these things belonged to and I just hope they were left in the car due to a lapse in memory rather than being a casualty of war." |
| The money was a five-franc note and hand-dated 6th June 1944. | The money was a five-franc note and hand-dated 6th June 1944. |
| 'Dark and dangerous times' | 'Dark and dangerous times' |
| Allied troops taking part in the D-Day landing were typically issued with a number of social survival items, including the five-franc note - known as occupation money - and cigarettes. | Allied troops taking part in the D-Day landing were typically issued with a number of social survival items, including the five-franc note - known as occupation money - and cigarettes. |
| Often, a condom would also be included in the pack, but there was no sign of one in the Citroen, which has been in the museum for nine years. | |
| Mr Owen said: "My wife Anne instantly recognised what they were, as her father served as a medical orderly at the landings. I was stunned." | Mr Owen said: "My wife Anne instantly recognised what they were, as her father served as a medical orderly at the landings. I was stunned." |
| The vehicle was brought into the UK by Ken Rogers, from Llanelidan, who sold it to Mr Owen for £6,000 10 years ago. | The vehicle was brought into the UK by Ken Rogers, from Llanelidan, who sold it to Mr Owen for £6,000 10 years ago. |
| Although Mr Owen has no idea who the money and cigarettes belonged to, there are some clues as to who owned the car. | Although Mr Owen has no idea who the money and cigarettes belonged to, there are some clues as to who owned the car. |
| A bronze plaque bearing the name Pierre Bouyant, from Gabanelle, Bergerac, can be found on the dashboard. | A bronze plaque bearing the name Pierre Bouyant, from Gabanelle, Bergerac, can be found on the dashboard. |
| Nobility | Nobility |
| Mr Owen said: "The French nobility liked to have the identity of ownership on the dashboard. Whoever this man is, he was the original owner. | Mr Owen said: "The French nobility liked to have the identity of ownership on the dashboard. Whoever this man is, he was the original owner. |
| "We know it was a vineyard vehicle originally, and must have been kept somewhere warm and dry, because of its good condition. | "We know it was a vineyard vehicle originally, and must have been kept somewhere warm and dry, because of its good condition. |
| "We know the village on the bronze plaque - Gabanelle - is in Bergerac, which is obviously a very well-known wine region. | "We know the village on the bronze plaque - Gabanelle - is in Bergerac, which is obviously a very well-known wine region. |
| "People hid vehicles and valuables because they would have been commandeered by the Germans." | "People hid vehicles and valuables because they would have been commandeered by the Germans." |
| He added: "We have never tried to contact the original owners, but their descendants may well still live there. If so, we hope they are still running a vineyard." | He added: "We have never tried to contact the original owners, but their descendants may well still live there. If so, we hope they are still running a vineyard." |
| It is thought the vehicle was hidden in a barn throughout the war, before being brought back into service in 1944. | |
| The museum describes the items as "a little time capsule from those dark and dangerous times". | The museum describes the items as "a little time capsule from those dark and dangerous times". |
| Nigel Davies, of Llangollen Enterprise, which promotes the town, said: "It's very exciting and shows what else might be hidden away in these old cars. | Nigel Davies, of Llangollen Enterprise, which promotes the town, said: "It's very exciting and shows what else might be hidden away in these old cars. |
| "It was brought back to this country but we don't know when, or whether it might have been used by the Allies for a time." | "It was brought back to this country but we don't know when, or whether it might have been used by the Allies for a time." |