POIGNANT scenes saw the beacon lit in Warwick district to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Thursday June 6 marked 80 years since Operations Neptune and Overlord, the largest air, land, and sea invasion as the Allies sought to retake Western Europe from the Nazis.
Warwick district joined towns and cities across the country in commemorating the operation which saw over 209,000 Allied casualties.
Warwick’s town crier, Michael Reddy, read ‘The D-Day 80 Proclamation’ on the steps of Shire Hall.
Schools throughout the district read the ‘D-Day Heroes’ poem, which tells the story of the planning and execution of the landings and honours those that took part.
The Leamington branch of the Royal British Legion held a short service at the War Memorial on Euston Place.
Kenilworth Town Council hosted a commemorative event at Kenilworth Castle featuring a ringing of church bells, a performance by school choirs, a piper and the lighting of a beacon in one of the castle’s towers.
And the district joined the nation in lighting the beacon at Newbold Comyn as The International Tribute was read by the chairman of Warwick District Council.
WDC’s armed forces covenant champion Coun Pam Redford said: “The bravery and sacrifice by so many on D-Day deserves to be recognised. The sheer scale of the operation, the largest in history, involved not only those landing on the beaches, but the many at home providing vital support. The nation came together when we needed them the most, so I am delighted that Warwick district joined the nation in commemorating all who fought so valiantly via land, air and sea, for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
