Normandy veterans share ‘bit of living history’ ahead of D-day anniversary
A GROUP of Second World War veterans have come together to share a “bit of living history” ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-day landings.
Ken Hay, Alec Penstone, Stan Ford, Henry Rice, Donald Howkins, Richard Aldred, Gilbert Clarke, John Dennett and Mervyn Kersh, aged between 98 and 103, gathered at the Union Jack Club, near Waterloo, yesterday.
The nine men, who travelled from across the UK, posed for a group photograph, joked and recalled stories about the D-day and Normandy landings.
Event organisers said it is likely to be the last time they are seen together outside the official D-day commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy in June.
General Lord Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, addressing the gathering, said: “It’s all about the veterans. Let’s take the opportunity now to get to know them, to meet them, to hear their stories, to write about their stories, to film their stories, to record their stories, so that this bit of living history is captured.”
The D-day landings of June 6,
1944, brought together the land, air and sea forces of the Allies in history’s largest amphibious invasion. Its success began the process of ending the war in Europe.
Earlier yesterday, pupils from three schools in London were invited to ask three of the veterans about their experiences.
Mr Aldred, 99, a tank driver who landed on Gold Beach in Normandy the day after D-day, spoke to the children about the camaraderie within his regiment.
He said: “You all stick together like glue and the main thing is, ‘how soon can I have a cup of tea and a bully beef sandwich?’”
Paul Thomas, head at Parkwood Primary in Finsbury Park, said: “With the age of the veterans and the age of our children, it is likely they are the last generation that will get to meet veterans in person.”
The event was organised jointly by the Normandy Memorial Trust and the Spirit of Normandy Trust.