Twenty-bedroom country mansion where Charles De Gaulle trained Free French soldiers ahead of D-Day landings is set to sell for £500,000
- Ribbesford House in Worcestershire was also used by British and American military during Second World War
- A group 200 young men used the property as a training ground for the two years leading up to D-Day in 1944
- The Grade II-listed building boasts two octagonal towers, numerous outbuildings and comes with a cottage
A country house which was used by Charles De Gaulle to train French soldiers ahead of the D-Day landings is set to fetch £500,000 at auction.
Ribbesford House in Bewdley, Worcestershire, was also used by the British and American military during the Second World War.
The historic Grade II-listed mansion dates back to the mid-16th century, and is set over three storeys with two octagonal towers at the rear. It has 20,000 square feet, with numerous outbuildings, a cottage and set in vast leafy grounds.
The historic Grade II listed country house is set over approximately 20,000 sq ft and comes complete with numerous outbuildings including its very own cottage
As the Second World War raged on, French president Charles De Gaulle chose the home as the headquarters for his Free French officer cadets
Charles De Gaulle would later refer to the school as an elite institution after adolescents flocked to his side to battle the Nazis
As the Second World War raged on, French president Charles De Gaulle chose the house as the headquarters for his Free French officer cadets.
A group of around 200 young men, aged 14 to 17, used the property and grounds for two years until D-Day, when they were deemed suitably trained to join the invasion forces.
The property's description claim that is lined with 'original wood panelling' as well as 'wonderful high ceilings, ceiling roses and cornicing, and a beautiful and quite unique 19th century curved staircase with decorative balustrades'.
Ribbesford House in Bewdley, Worcestershire, dates back to the mid-16th century, and is set over three storeys with two octagonal towers at its rear
A plaque serves as a reminder of the young fighters who came to England to train at the school before going to fight the Nazis for France
Young recruits to the Free French Forces are pictured marching while they were stationed in Worcestershire in 1942, two years before D-Day
The great hall at Ribbesford House in Bewdley, Worcestershire, the country house used by Charles de Gaulle as the headquarters for his Free French recruits
It continues: 'The gardens lie awaiting re-discovery by the new owner and previously boasted fine formal gardens with a fountain, rose gardens, a knot garden, ponds, a shrubbery and former tennis court among other wonderful features.
'The house was originally moated, but the moat was mostly infilled in the late 18th century.
'Winding paths lead through the gardens and into an area of private woodland, and a bridge remains over the former moat.
The country house was the centre of training for fighters who would go on to engage in anti-invasion activities against the Nazis in France
Cadets of Saint-Cyr military school are pictured after they joined the Free French Forces in 1941 in United Kingdom, before they moved to Ribbesford House
A bedroom at Ribbesford House in Bewdley, Worcestershire, which is expected to fetch £500,000 at auction and is set in vast and leafy grounds
One of the rooms at the mansion in Worcestershire, which was once used as the base for Free French fighters determined to battle the Nazi invasion of their country
'A terrace edged by balustrading runs all the way along the rear elevation. There are many interesting and very mature trees including bamboo, witch hazel, Irish yew, ash and fig.
'There is parking for numerous vehicles to the front of the property along with garaging and stables.'
The sprawling 8.15-acre estate was first mentioned in documents in the Anglo Saxon Charter early in the 11th century, which states that Wulstan, Bishop of Worcester, had handed it over to his sister.
It was later seized by invading forces during the Danish conquest, before being regained by the Monks, who then surrendered it to Turstin, a Fleming.
In 1074, the estate was presented to Ralph de Mortimer, who resided at Wigmore Castle in Leominster, Herefordshire, and it remained in his family for hundreds of years.
In the early 17th century, it was passed on to Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, before coming under the ownership of Sir Henry Herbert, who acted as Master of the Revels for King Charles I and II.
As a result, countless letters to and from the Member of Parliament for Bewdley were discovered in one of the castles, including letters from the Queen of Bohemia, Oliver Cromwell and General Fairfax.
During the Second World War, the country home was requisitioned and used by the British, American and French militia, and was regularly visited by Charles de Gaul.
In 1947, it was bought by Wing Commander Edward Howell and his wife, who converted it into private apartments.
It is now said to be in need of a 'complete renovation', by whoever purchases it at the auction.
The 20-bedroom residence is set to come under the hammer with a guide price of £500,000 at a public auction on April 17.
Young recruits who came to England to protect France
In 1940, more than 100 adolescents aligned themselves with General de Gaulle, who led the Free French Forces against the Nazis.
They were originally quartered at the School of Cadets of Free France near Brymbach, Wales, or at Rake Manor in Surrey. In February 1941 they moved to Malvern, Worcestershire, where numbers swelled to about 200 by 1942.
All military training was provided by officers from École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, the foremost French military academy. The students were decked out in dark blue uniforms left behind by the Alpine battalions of Narvick.
They were split into three sections - a preparatory section for the youngest members, a first section for those in the first year of university education and a section for older members whose date of birth would allow them to join the Army at the end of their studies.
The first section - comprised of 15 cadets - named itself Release. Eight of its officers were killed by the Axis powers.
In May 1942, the English requisitioned the buildings being used in Malvern, forcing the cadets to relocate to Ribbesford House, which was larger and better adapted.
By the time they made the move, all cadets had reached the age of 18 and the preparatory section was scrapped. They were split into two companies, each of which carried a six-month instruction period.
The first was dedicated to military training of the younger recruits and was overseen by a sergeant. The second provided technical and professional training for future officers. B
In total, 211 officers enrolled at the Cadet School. Forty-eight of them died fighting for France. The school was dissolved in June 1944.
When dissolving the school, General de Gaulle referred to the institution as the refuge of France's 'young elite' to 'conquer for the liberation and the renovation of the homeland'.
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