OUR D-DAY HEROES: in memory of those who lost their lives, and those whose lives were changed forever

Walter Witherwick

My Father served in the 7th Armoured Division “Desert Rats” Active service North Africa Campaign, Elalemein, through to Italy, the turning point in the second world war D Day Normandy France and Liberation, on to Berlin. “The Greatest Generation!” Thank you for your service 👏

George Traill

My dear Grandad, I am so proud of what you did. The D day landing must of been terrifying. You are my hero grandad. Thank you for what you did for our country.

Maj A C W Martin DCO

2ic of The Hampshires. Led them up the beach as the CO was injured immediately on landing. Charles was killed by a sniper shortly after assuming command.

All that gave their lives to change history in the D-Day Landings

Thank you to all who gave their lives to change the tide of the war and history and to maintain our values and way of life. I also served in the Royal Engineers for 9 years (16-25) serving in the Gulf War and Bosnia and I salute all my fallen brothers for your ultimate sacrifice 🌺

Grandpa Brown

So proud you were my Grandpa. Thank you and will always miss you 💙💙💙

Jimmy Redpath

My Uncle Jimmy. You were only 17, so brave, your life cut short on 11/6/1944 in Normandy. You have never been forgotten, RIP and thank you for our freedom.

Our D Day Heroes

Forever grateful to you all

All of those who gave their today for our tomorrow

Thank you ❤️ The bravest of the brave 🇬🇧

Frank Roden, HMS Garth, serving in North Atlantic, Dieppe & D Day

I am so proud of what my father did in WW2 alongside untold millions who fought to keep our homes & country safe

John Henry Westlake

Thank you for volunteering on your 18th birthday and 'doing your bit'. What you and your fellow RAF comrades went through we can never fully understand or know, thank you all for what you did for our futures.

Able Seaman John Clifford Eggington, mentioned in dispatches for jumping into rough sea to save a colleague & Private Ernest Robert Eggington who insisted on going to Normandy despite injuries

Brave men, remembered with much love and enormous pride.

My Father Lt R (Dick) Holman MC and Uncle Maj J Holman MC

My father, Lt. R (Dick) Holman MC and his elder brother, Maj J (Jack) Holman MC both fought with the Sherwood Rangers tank regiment of the 8th Armoured Brigade and landed on Gold beach on 6th June. Uncle Jack in C squadron swam shore in DD tanks while my father in A squadron landed on the beach shortly after. They fought though Europe into Germany and liberation - a miracle both survived while so many gave their lives for that liberation. Their fortitude is unsurpassed. Never forgotten.

James denwood (Jim)

My great-uncleJAMES DENWOOD was lucky to survive the early stages of the war to take part in the Normandy invasion. He was on board the troopship and former Cunard liner the Lancastria when it was sunk in June 1940 as it evacuated exhausted soldiers from northern France. Around 5,000 died but Mr Denwood was among the lucky ones and survived. ‘It went down in 20 minutes,’ he recalled yesterday. ‘I was like a duck and had to swim.’He was a sapper in the Royal Engineers during the D-Day landings

All those who served and sacrificed

We are all forever in the debt of those who served and sacrifices for our today. Some of us, like me, went on to other wars and conflicts. I served in The Falklands, others in Afghanistan, liberating, defending, and some not coming home. God bless you all.

William Francis Bromley

Known as Frank, my father in law was one of the men who came home. He was in the West Kent Regiment. I'm adding his name here on behalf of his son who died very recently ❤️

Chris Hill

This is my grandad who served in the 1st Dorset Regiment. He along with the many other hero's came ashore on Gold Beach on D Day. He was injured by shrapnel a while later but survived to come home to my Nan and Mum.

Pvt Leslie Richardson Ward and all who fought

Remembering my grandad on this momentous anniversary, he was part of the RAMC and helped those who were injured fighting on the Normandy beaches and else where in the war. There were so many horrendous sights seen that took him a very long time to talk about, and even then it was a struggle, his family will forever be proud of what he did during the war. We will remember them all

All

These great, brave people need to be celebrated everyday - thank you

Dorothy Hubble Earls

Volunteered 1939: served Devonport hospital , then Greenwich seamen’s hospital, my heroine did her bit

Denis Patrick Earls

Dad from Limerick Eire volunteered 1939: Royal Navy, later volunteered Marine Commandos,D Day beaches so many campaigns, ended service in Burma , last stop Singapore, home 1945: my hero , photo 50,year memorial

Denis Patrick Earls

Dad you came home ,1945: ,many of your comrade's didn’t, thank you 🙏🏻 for your service,

W.E.J. Harris ( Jack )

This is my father Jack Harris from Swindon. He was,in the Royal Engineers seeing service in Dunkirk, North Africa ( desert rat ) Monte Cassino he was on the D - DAY landings he aS also in the relief column of Arnhem where he was on the boats helping to save the troops over the Rhine . He ended up in Germany. He always said that he was one of the lucky ones who came home . WE WILL REMEMBER.

Captain William Harold Whitfield

"Larry" Whitfield took a platoon of DUKWs across on D-Day. We couldn't be more proud. He died at 93.

Augustus (Tom) White

12/9/1940 enlisted in the Royal Artillery. Wounded during an explosion on his coastal A/A battery. 29/11/1943 transferred to the Royal Navy. Served aboard HMS Queen of Thanet during the D-Day landings, establishing Mulberry Harbours on the beach-heads. 6/8/1944 returned to R/A and posted to India .Received sword wounds from an insurgent whilst preventing sectarian violence. A quiet, modest man. He never mentioned any of this while alive. All ascertained from military research.

Charlie Evans and Stan Alexander

Love and miss you all. We know you weren’t at the D Day Landings, but you did your part

Gp Capt Monty Dawson DFC & Bar, DFM

My father was a Pathfinder navigator in WWII in Bomber Command and was towing gliders on D-1 for the 6th Airborne Division and then resupplying the landings from the air. By the end of the war he had completed 73 sorties and was lucky to survive. And it has been my privilege to the 'Pedalling Padre' on eight H4H Battlefield Bike Rides 2010-2017.

All the men and women who served during the war

A huge Thank you to all who fought for our country and the freedom we have today. Without your total self unselfishness and bravery we are free to day. Sadly it came at a very high cost with thousands paying the ultimate price for future generations, you will never be forgotten. God bless you all.

To all service Men & Women of WW2

To all the service Men & Women who served without asking , Who Gallantly served with honour dignity and pride without them we today are nothing.

Meta Manson

Meta served as a nurse having joined up due to her school friends. As a 27 year old her dedication and servive to the wounded on the Normandy beaches led to her receiving an MBE. A true hero serving other true heroes. It was a privilege to have known this remarkable woman who went on to serve in Belgium and Bangladesh treating prisoners of war and concentration camp suvivors. knew Meta in my capacity of a Eucharistic Minister taking her Holy Communion.

Douglas A Curson

My dad who served in 2 of the 3 military never spoke of his military days and weather or not he played any role in the war. But in any case it's my duty to thank any of the generation that fought and died for our freedoms we enjoy today. They should always be honoured and remembered. Rip dad x

My uncle. Able Seaman C/JX 366994 Harold (Jack) Gee. Crew on LSI (L)111

Immediately following the landings LSI (L)111 was ordered back in to pick up wounded troops from Sword beach. The LSI was hit twice, both above and below the waterline, and a number of injured men were then trapped in the Troop Hold. Harold, along with D/JX 394305 Evans, Thomas - AB & D/MX 81752B Jones, Emlyn - went down into the hold and rescued 12 men that were trapped, including having to perform amputations to release them. All three were awarded the DSM. He never spoke about that day.

Tom Stevenson

Thank you uncle Tom. He served in the Royal Navy. On D Day he was on the tank landing ship's. He also was on the several other ships including the HMS Hood before it was skunk. Thank you and all who gave there today for our tomorrow. xxx

Leonard John Saunders

Dad, your courage (and all those who took part) and your sense of duty (on D+12) is honoured by all your children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Tom Turner M.M

Sapper Tom Turner Royal Engineer from 59 Mechanical Equipment platoon. armoured Dozer operator who landed on Mike Red Juno Beach D Day 1944 attached to the 3td Canadian infantry. Awarded the Military Medal for his actions on the beach. Also one of the liberators of Bergen -Belsen concentration camp. RIP Dad

Thomas (Tommy) Tattersall

Dad was a second driver in Churchill tank as a member of the desert rats in the Irish Horse Regiment. He served in many places including Africa . His tank was blown up by a landmine and dad didn't remember anything until waking in hospital. He didn't like to talk much about his experiences and the horrors of that awful war so I don't know how many of his comrades survived. Dad was sent home and lived into his 80s. We will always be grateful for dad and all those who fought for us. Thank you ❤

Ernest Charles Durban

Ernest (My Gt Uncle) 8th Battalion Middlesex Regt Killed in action,, 30th June 1944 during operation Epsom. The Battle for Caen. Rest in Peace

All of them.

Thanks you for all the days of my life .I will always remember your sacrifice for my freedom.

L/Sgt. Sidney Arthur Blake R.E.

Helped to build the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. Mentioned in despatched. Never forgotten

Sgt Major Tommy McIlveen

My Dad joined up in 1934 volunteering for the Parachute Regiment in 1942 and the 6th Airborne Div in 1943 He was dropped into Normandy with full pack weapon and ammunition on 6 June 1944 being part of the D Day Landings. The 6th Airborne marched 300 miles through Germany to meet the Allies fighting the remains of the German Military losing many of his comrades who were wounded and killed in action, many were school friends for whom he grieved for the rest of his life I am grateful he survived

George Edward Richardson

Crew member of LTC1067 landing in first wave on Sword beach. On the 12 craft in flotilla only two returned. Aged 17 as lied about age

Thomas Molyneux

To my Grandad,2nd wave d-day,the cheshires, part of Montys Mob. God bless them all,heroes everyone 🙏 💙👏👏

All the Hero’s of the war

Words can’t express the gratitude and appreciation I have for all those who gave their all. The stories I hear always make me cry because you gave the ultimate sacrifice. I’m so thankful to you and all the boys that never returned home, they will NEVER be forgotten, EVER.!!

All the heroes, every one of them

Never forgotten

Ronald Lane

My Hero Father Ronald Lane who was on Sword Beach D Day operation overlord. You wrote a Book From Swordbeach to Bremen and Beyond which tells of the hell you went through. Thank you for our freedom..we are always in your debt..

Bertie John Sharp 1910 - 1973

9th Survey Regt. Royal Artillery landed on D-day around 8am on Sword Queen Green beach at Lyon sur Met, Normandy

All the British, Canadian & U.S service men.

Words are not enough for the courage that you all showed on that day of days and the day’s thereafter. You will never be forgotten. X

Mr Arthur Henry Oakley (Dad)

Dad, although not involved on June 6th, stepped forward and was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was in the Royal Artillery and very soon after D-Day landed in Normandy on Sword Beach, and saw much heavy fighting up until the end of the war. He mercifully survived, but left many of his fellow servicemen there. Lest We Forget.

Frederick Edward Allan

My great uncle who had just been home to celebrate his 21st birthday. Arrived on Sword Beach with the 2nd battalion Northumberland Fusiliers & now lies in Hermanville Sur mer. Lest we forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all.

George Traill

My wonderful dad landed on Gold Beach on D-Day ,he was on the landing craft ,took his boots off when landing on the beach in case the water got in his boots and stopped him running up the beach. Dad was in the Royal West Kents,and never wanted to talk about his experiences

Our Father Colin Lewis

Dad, Colin, was an Able Seaman with the Royal Navy. Aboard Landing Craft LCT 769. He was there at D-Day, 80 years ago supporting the Canadians and Royal Marines at Juno Beach. Like many others, he never spoke about his service. We only discovered the full extent a few years ago. Thank you Dad for all you did. And to those who fought with you. Every day is Remembrance Day. God Bless. Your proud family.

My Father

May peace be eternal.

All of you

Could not be prouder of you guys

Our heroes

Thankyou for undertaking and achieving possibly the greatest military assault in history. Forever remembered. God bless x

My Uncles

My 3 Uncles (my Dads elders brothers) were off, above & on the beaches on 06/06. No 1 was RN Minesweepers clearing the lanes as part of Op Neptune quietly in the days prior & was then at it for rest of June. Had already done a few white convoys runs over the north cape since 42. Uncle No 2 was RAF in a MkIX Spit on CAP over the beaches on the 6th. Uncle No 3 was 45 RM & in the lead assault waves on Sword with 1st SS Bde, before having a bimble down to Pegasus Bridge with Lovatt & Bill Millin.

William John Thompson

You fought not only for your King and Country, but for all mankind to rid the World of tyranny and the evil German beast. You paid the ultimate sacrifice Uncle Billy for which I am eternal gratefull to you and your comrades. Rest in eternal peace in that foreign land my hero, you will never be forgotten.

Frederick Haynes 48 RMC

To be so young and brave against all odds but knowing you were fighting for freedom.

Ernest Bignold

Remembered every day but proud to visit his grave at Bayeux on the 75th DDay anniversary - he lasted 12 days after the landings and was killed but the fabulous CWGC repatriated him to his final resting place xx Lest we Forget

Wilfred Wallace Black

Granddad was in the Royal Horse Artillery and part of the troops brought back from Italy to prepare for D-Day. Not that they knew that, of course. They just knew it was “something big”. Granddad was a driver and waited in his wagon for two days. His orders were basic. “My CO told me: ‘As soon as you feel your tyres hit the sand, drive. Get off the beach, turn left, follow the signs for Caen and don’t stop till you get there’.” He could not have imagined what lay ahead. We love and miss you, Granddad. You will always be our hero.

All

Hero’s everyone of them.

Nobby Clarke

My Dad Freddie (Nobby) Clarke was only 19 when he landed on Juno Beach with 48 Royal Marine Commandos, he lost his two Best Friends that Day on the Beach. Years later he went back to a reunion in St Aubin-Sur-Mer which is where Juno Beach was and met a French couple called Albert and Simone where a close friendship was formed for over 30 years with both families visiting each others homes.The photo shows my Father being the last Marine leaving the landing craft. So Proud of my Dad that Day.

KENNETH DAVID GOMM

REMEMBER YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATED AND COURAGEOUS SERVICE IN THE AIR FORCE AS A BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERT - INCLUDING ON D-DAY AND THROUGHOUT THE ADVANCE. I VALUE EVERY DAY THE FREEDOM YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES BROUGHT US.

My Grandad Frank

My dedication is for my Grandad, Frank, who was part of the Allied forces who landed on the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago for D-Day. Frank was a band Sgt. Maj in the 1st battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment who assaulted and took Gold Beach. He sustained a bad shrapnel injury to his hand on day four of the fighting which meant that, not only was he medically discharged from the army, but it also meant he could no longer play the trumpet, which was his passion. I know that his experiences during the worst of the fighting and his injury meant that he was never quite the same when he came home. It would have been known as shellshock back then, but I think it was likely that Grandad had PTSD. There wasn’t the support or understanding then that there is now, and I’m glad that Help for Heroes exists to support veterans and their families when they need it nowadays. I want to say thank you to Frank and his comrades for their service on D-Day – their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. From Lee West and family.

Norman Hewitt

My D-Day Hero is my grandfather Norman Hewitt, who landed on Juno Beach. As the landing platform approached, my grandfather saw the devastation in front of him and felt certain he was going to die. A huge chocaholic, he saw no reason to save his rations and ate them there on the spot. He bravely went on to fight and thankfully survived, spending the evening of June 6 trying to trade his cigarettes for more chocolate! My four children are proud to know about their Great Grandfather and, even though they never got to meet him, he lives on through stories such as this. Much loved, forever missed. From Ian and Family

Gerald Dyer

Always remembered.