D Day 80 – A special day to remember

Salisbury remembered all the brave service personnel who took part in D Day, 80 years ago on Thursday 6^th June.

At 8am (to reflect the timings of activity in 1944), the Salisbury Branch of The Royal British Legion and Salisbury City Council held two events to commemorate and honour all the brave sailors, soldiers and airman involved. 

In the morning, there was a gathering at the War Memorial where the National Proclamation was read by the Town Crier, followed by a short Act of Remembrance led by The Royal British Legion President Chris Child and Salisbury Royal British Legion Chaplain, the Revd. Canon Kelvin Inglis.

A commemorative event was then held in the evening with music from Bag Piper Elysee Spacie and the Salisbury Band of the Royal British Legion, followed by a formal Remembrance Service led by the Mayor of Salisbury, Councillor Sven Hocking, the Salisbury Royal British Legion Branch President, Chris Child and the Salisbury Royal British Legion Chaplain, the Revd. Canon Kelvin Inglis, in the presence of The Right Honourable Lord Margadale of Islay, Deputy Lord Lieutenant. Also present were three WW2 Veterans and a large contingent of veterans together with local Cadets from Salisbury Sea Cadets, Marine Cadets and 1010 (City of Salisbury) RAF Cadet Squadron.

Cllr Sven Hocking the Mayor of Salisbury commented ‘Honouring the bravery, dedication, courage and sacrifice of the 15 Salisbury men who lost their lives in the Normandy campaign, as well as the thousands from across the country and the commonwealth is incredibly important. Their service and sacrifice were for our freedom and for this we must never forget.’

Bob Barwick, Vice President of Salisbury Royal British Legion said ‘We would like to express our thanks to the people of Salisbury for attending our D Day events in such large numbers. It was really pleasing, after such a huge effort by the Royal British Legion team, that all went smoothly, the sun shone and that we were joined by WW2 Veterans, Ron Collins, Douglas Parish and John Sykes. It was an added bonus that Lord Margadale DL was able to present John Sykes with replacements for his lost medals before the evening event.’

The names of 15 men from Salisbury who died in the Normandy campaign are detailed on the south side of the City War Memorial, at the Guildhall Square.

Cover Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography