With RAFA Sud Ouest France we attend a number of commemorations for crews lost in WW2. The Brits turn up in blazers and ties, the French "Portes Drapeaux" usually wear blazer tie and their old military cap (one we see frequently has a naval cap with the tally "Mers El Kebir"). The Mayors frequently turn up in windcheater or polo shirt according to season, surmounted by mayoral sash. Back end of last year one mayor had been a bit casual with putting on his sash and during La Marseillaise the sash descended round his body to the deck like a pair of elastic-less knickers, to the suppressed mirth of all.