Port to mark 75th anniversary of D-Day with series of events
A SHIP has been chartered to carry 300 D-Day veterans across the Channel as part of events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the “most complicated operation” in history.
A series of events are to be held in Portsmouth, Hampshire, where many of the landing boats sailed from, while the commemorations continue in Normandy. The plans were announced by the vice chief of the defence staff General Sir Gordon Messenger during a visit to the D-Day Story Museum in Southsea.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Winston Churchill rightly said that D-Day was ‘undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult’ operation that had ever taken place.
“This June we will show our veterans that the debt to them is never forgotten for the price they paid for the freedom and peace we now enjoy.”
Bob Gamble, of the Royal British Legion, said: “We invite those who wish to attend the events to commemorate their historic achievements to get in touch with the Legion and join our all-costscovered journey by ship back to France.”
The five days of events in Portsmouth starting on June 5 will include a military parade along the seafront with performances by military bands, readings by VIPs and a flypast featuring period aircraft.
Other highlights will include a Royal Collection Trust exhibition, screenings to show the Normandy commemorations live and a performance by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
The first ‘Portsmouth Revival Festival’ celebrating the food, music, dancing and vehicles of the time will also be held culminating in a Sunset Concert for Heroes featuring acts including the Military Wives Choir and the DDay Darlings.
Before sunset on June 5, the chartered ship MV Boudicca, funded by the Royal British Legion and a Libor grant from the Treasury, will take 300 veterans to Normandy for events there on D-Day, June 6.