Remembering D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.
RBL D-Day 80 events
RBL will be marking the 80th anniversary with events in the UK and Normandy on 5 and 6 June 2024, as well as with community events around the UK.
We are inviting Normandy veterans, families of the fallen, descendants of Normandy veterans, and members of the public to join us in commemorating D-Day 80. To learn more and register for each event you wish to attend, please visit the following links.
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1. A Service of Commemoration to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings
- Date and time: 5 June 2024, at 5pm
- Location: Bayeux War Cemetery, France
The RBL will be holding an event on 5 June at Bayeux War Cemetery, at 5pm, which will be open to both Normandy and WW2 veterans, families of the fallen, and descendants of Normandy veterans. We will also be opening a ballot for members of the general public.
- For Normandy and WW2 veterans, families of the fallen and descendants
You can now register your interest below to attend the event. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis as spaces are limited. Registration will close on the 25 March or when capacity is reached.
Register as a veteran or descendant
- For members of the public
Members of the general public can enter our ballot to attend the Bayeux War Cemetery event on 5 June 2024. Spaces will only be allocated if capacity is not reached through veteran registration.
Please note that registering for the ballot does not secure you a space. The ballot will close on 25 March. We will contact you about the success of your application by 28 March.
2. British National Event to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings
- Date and time: 6 June 2024, daytime (time to be confirmed)
- Location: British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer France
With the Ministry of Defence, the RBL will hold the British National Event to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June at the British Normandy Memorial. This will be broadcast on UK National Television. This will be open to Normandy veterans and their guest.
- For Normandy veterans
If you are a Normandy veteran and would like to attend, please contact the Remembrance Events Team on RemembranceEvents@britishlegion.org.uk.
- For members of the public
Members of the general public can enter our ballot to attend the British National Event in France. Spaces will only be allocated if capacity is not reached through veteran registration with priority given to families of the fallen and descendants of Normandy veterans.
Please note that registering for the ballot does not secure you a space. The ballot will close on 25 March. We will contact you about the success of your application by 28 March.
3. National Memorial Arboretum D-Day 80 Service
The RBL will be hosting a service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on 6 June 2024, at 2 pm to commemorate 80 years since the iconic D-Day landings.
- Date and time: 6 June 2024, at 2pm
- Location: National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire UK
Alongside the service, the RBL will be welcoming eligible D-Day and Normandy veterans and their families in a dedicated VIP area. Entry into this area must be booked in advance, and is subject to availability: registration closes on 28 March.
The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds. Visit the NMA D-Day 80 page or call 01283 245 100 for further information.
Other D-Day 80 commemorations
Legacies of D-Day exhibition, France and UK
- Date: From 6 June 2024
- Location: British Normandy Memorial, France and National Memorial Arboretum, UK
This year, we have produced an exhibition to honour the service and sacrifice of the D-Day Generation. Legacies of D-Day will be on display at the site of the British Normandy Memorial in France and at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire from 6 June.
The exhibition will be open to all members of the public, so please do come and visit us to commemorate the veterans of D-Day 80. Content from the exhibition will also be available on our website.
Commemorating D-Day 80
We have created resources to help our members and supporters commemorate D-Day 80 and other battles of 1944. We want people to make meaningful connections and celebrate the legacy of the whole D-Day generation.
About D-Day
Unprecedented coordination between Allied nations, and the intensive planning of engineers, meteorologists, logisticians and countless more, led to a force from 13 countries approaching Normandy in a 5000-vessel armada.
In the early hours of D-Day, 24,000 paratroopers and glider-borne troops landed behind German lines to provide tactical support. Massive naval and aerial bombardments attempted to supress the German defences and weaponry. Then a ground force of more than 130,000 troops came ashore on five beaches across a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast, with the first waves often facing intact defences. By the end of D-Day there had been 10,000 allied casualties. Yet this was only the beginning. The ensuing Battle of Normandy was to last into August and cost tens of thousands of lives as it defeated and repulsed the occupying German forces eastwards. It was a decisive success for the Allies and paved the way for the liberation of much of north west Europe.