Eighty years after Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, the St Albans district remembered their bravery and sacrifices with a series of special events throughout the day of the anniversary.
In the city centre, St Albans Mayor Cllr Jamie Day led a moving ceremony at the war memorial along with the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jenni Murray, and former British Army soldier John Gauthier, a member of the Royal British Legion, and Daisy Cooper.
Town Crier Stephen Potter read a proclamation to remind people of the importance of the Allied invasion on June 6 1944.
“Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France – an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.
“By the day’s end, over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.
“In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.
“We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. God save the King!”
The Rev Mark Dearnley of St Peter’s Church read a poem, Normandy, by D-Day veteran Cyril Crain which included the verse:
“Come and stand in memory,
Of men who fought and died,
They gave their lives in Normandy,
Remember them with pride.”
Rev Dearnley said a prayer before leading a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen.
Around 50 residents from around the district also attended the event to pay their respects to those who helped liberate western Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Afterwards, the Mayor said: “I was very impressed by how many people turned out for this event, coming together to commemorate D-Day.
“There are not many people left now who lived through that historic battle, but it is vitally important that we continue to remember those who fought to uphold our freedom.
“We owe the war generation so much and I was proud to lead this ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of one of the greatest military campaigns of all time.”
In London Colney, the subsidised lunch club at the Caledon Community Centre enjoyed a D-Day themed lunch while the anniversary flag was flown at the war memorial.
In the evening, the Mayor lit a beacon at 9.15pm as darkness fell at the village green by Highfield Park Centre.
Beacons were lit across the country at the same time, including Harpenden Common, to bring the national commemorations to a close.
Photos by John Andrews and Matt Fisher.
The team at Highfield Park who made the site ready for the D-Day ceremony. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: Matt FisherCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Highfield Park. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in London Colney. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John AndrewsCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in St Albans. Photo: John Andrews
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