Thursday June 6 is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day – the successful allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy on 6 June, 1944. Code named Operation Neptune, the Normandy landings made up the largest seaborne invasion in history and played a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Beacon lighting and commemoration events are being held across the UK and you are invited to join in with the Marlborough Beacon lighting ceremony on the Common at 8.45pm on June 6.
Beacons are being lit across the country in celebration of the ‘light of peace’ that emerged out of the darkness of war. At the Marlborough Beacon ceremony, The BlueBelles A Capella choir, will be performing World War II songs. St John’s student, Chris Cowlan, will play the cornet before Wiltshire Deputy Lieutenant, Charles Bartholomew, lights the beacon and Mayor Cllr Cleasby reads the International Tribute. The ceremony will end with the haunting sound of the bagpipes, played by Piper Lance Corporal Bowtell.
Earlier in the day, new Town Crier, Emma Kimber, will be marking the D-Day Anniversary by performing a cry on the Town Hall steps at 8 am. Local and national bell-ringers will be Ringing Out For Peace at 6.30pm (St Mary’s, Minal and Preshute).
80 years may seem a long time ago but we should be aware that some Marlborough residents still have memories of that day. David Sherratt told Marlborough.news, “I remember the day well. I went down the drive to collect the bottle of milk, waiting for milkman and his horse (he walked beside the cart taking the bottles in metal cages off it and the horse stopped at regular intervals knowing the route well). ‘They’ve landed !’ he shouted to all and sundry. I had no idea what he meant. I was 12 years old.”
In the words of the International Tribute “Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad during the D-Day landings, whose sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.”
Town Councillor vacancy – West Ward
