D-Day 65 Celebrations

D-Day heroes and dignitaries participated in a commemorative service organised by The Royal British Legion at the majestic Bayeux Cathedral in Normandy, the spiritual home of the Normandy Landings as well as the Norman Conquest nearly 900 years earlier.

Many WW2 veterans made the return trip to Normandy, some for the first time in 65 years, and participated in wreath laying at Ranville and Bayeux cemeteries and a parade at Arromanches.

On GOLD beach in Normandy, used by British Forces in the invasion, thousands of Union Flags were planted, chosen from among the 5.5 million that were sent out by the Legion across the UK and inscribed with messages of thanks and dedication. 

In England and Normandy thousands particapted in picnics including Portsmouth, Weymouth, Coventry and Christchurch, organised by the Legion in partnership with Normandy Association and Normandy Association UK.

Commemorative events, Normandy

The Royal British Legion held a special commemorative mass in Bayeux Cathedral in the morning of Saturday June 6.

HRH The Prince of Wales, Life Member of The Royal British Legion, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined numerous WWII veterans, many who have not been back to Normandy for 65 years. The Legion's National President, Lt Gen Sir John Panton Kiszely KGB MC, led the exhortation.

Prince Charles and Prime Minister Brown also took part in a Normandy Veterans' Association Service of Remembrance, laying a wreath and meeting D-Day Veterans at the Bayeux Commonwealth War Graves Committee Cemetery. Prince Charles later attended a reception to meet with D-Day veterans, Royal British Legion staff and supporters at the Hotel Chateau de Belle Fontaine in Bayeux.

In the afternoon, The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined the presidents of the United States and France and the Prime Minister of Canada at a commemorative ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.

Video Production by RAWvideo and hosted on YouTube for The Royal British Legion.

Our Party in Portsmouth

Southsea, Portsmouth was the location of a spectacular public party to celebrate D-Day 65. Taking over three sites near the seafront, The Royal British Legion's Party in Portsmouth marked this occasion in true 1940s style.

Music and dancing from the era was provided on the bandstand site by The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra and the sensational Ray Gelato and his band, The Giants.

There were also traditional fairground attractions, a display of vintage military vehicles, a family fun bike ride and much more.

It's estimated that 20,000 people enjoyed the party and helped make it a truly memorable event.

Flag planting

On the beach at Asnelles in Normandy (part of GOLD beach used by British Forces on D-Day) thousands of Union Flags were planted. These were chosen from among the millions that were sent out by the Legion across the UK to be inscribed with messages of thanks and dedication.

And for those who couldn't visit Normandy, there's still the opportunity to plant a virtual flag!

Click here for more information.

Poppy Travel tours

Poppy Travel is the specialised travel arm of the Legion and has been providing Pilgrimage and Battlefield tours since 1927. They are experts in guiding veterans returning to where they saw active service or family members visiting graves or memorials of lost loved ones.

There are a number of Normandy tours are available this year as well as other locations with 65 year anniversaries. World War 2 veterans applying for funding with Heroes Return 2 are encouraged to contact Poppy Travel for assistance.

Visit www.poppytravel.org.uk for details.

Other events

June 6 is celebrated as Normandy Day in France and there will be many local celebrations taking place. Visit the Normandie Memoire website for more information. 

CWGC Exhibition at Bayeux War Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission will hold an exhibition at the Bayeux War Cemetery from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June 2009. Free information leaflets will be available as well as their computerised casualty database.

CWGC Exhibition at Bayeux and Ranville (Normandy - France)
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission France Area is presenting an exhibition (with an exclusive introduction to the 48th Grave Concentration Unit) in two famous museums:

• the 'Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie' in Bayeux from 2 May to 29 May 2009
• the Pegasus Memorial in Ranville from 2 June to 31 August 2009

For further information please contact CWGC France Area +33 (0)3 21 21 77 00 or faoffice@cwgc.org

Pegasus 65 - Run to Pegasus is a 65 mile challenge run which follows the route that 6 HORSA Gliders took to carry men from 52nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry to their objective: Pegasus Bridge in Normandy in June 1944.

Poppy Press

We published a special edition of our supporter's newsletter for the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Click here to read this commemorative issue of Poppy Press.