D-Day 80 service of remembrance
Relatives of Ashfield’s D-Day veterans are being invited to a service of commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
On 6 June 1944 Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever seen to begin the liberation of Nazi occupied Europe, during the Second World War. More than 132,000 troops, transported across the English Channel by 4,000 ships, landed on five beaches in France.
Operation Overlord was the start of ten months of bitter fighting between Allied and German forces, which ended with the surrender of the Nazi regime in May 1945.
Now, 80 years later, events to mark this historic day are being held across the country and Ashfield District Council wants to ensure relatives of local veterans are given the opportunity to come together and pay tribute to their endeavours.
There are believed to be few remaining veterans of the landings still alive – the youngest are in their late nineties. It is not thought there are any still living in Ashfield, though it could be possible.
That's why, ahead of the anniversary the Council wants to hear from relatives of any D-Day veterans, either alive, or sadly no longer with us.
Cllr Dale Grounds, chairman of ADC said: “The D-Day landings are one of the most significant events of the 20th Century. Without the bravery and sacrifice of so many Allied soldiers, the Europe and world we live in today would look so very different.
“It is right we remember and honour all those who took part in the liberation of Europe from the Nazis, especially those who came from Ashfield.”
The service is being planned for Thursday 6 June and more details will be released nearer the time.
Relatives of D-Day veterans are asked to get in touch by emailing DDay80@ashfield.gov.uk where they can register their interest for the event and are also invited to send in photographs and details of their loved ones, to be used as part of the commemoration.
