THE sacrifices made by Worcestershire soldiers who helped turned the tide of war against the Nazis during D-Day were honoured 80 years to the day after they joined the fray.

Young cadets stood side by side with veterans in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester as all generations commemorated those county soldiers who fought and fell in Normandy.

Wreaths were laid during the solemn act of remembrance on Saturday, marking 80 years to the day since county soldiers from The Worcestershire Regiment joined the Normandy landings, marking the beginning of the end of World War Two.

Storms delayed the Battalion's landing so the act of remembrance falls after the traditional D-Day commemorations on June 6 with county soldiers also engaged in other key theatres of the war on the day the invasion was launched.

WREATHS: Various dignitaries laid wreaths in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne as veterans and cadets and members of the public paid tribute to the Worcestershire Regiment for its role in D-Day WREATHS: Various dignitaries laid wreaths in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne as veterans and cadets and members of the public paid tribute to the Worcestershire Regiment for its role in D-Day (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Organised by The Worcester Branch of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association in partnership with Worcester City Council, the ceremony at 10.30am marked the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings for soldiers from 1st Battalion the Worcestershire Regiment, who joined the vital D-Day mission on June 22.

SOLEMN: Standard bearers remember the sacrifices of the Worcestershire Regiment in Normandy on June 22, 1944 - 80 years ago to the day SOLEMN: Standard bearers remember the sacrifices of the Worcestershire Regiment in Normandy on June 22, 1944 - 80 years ago to the day (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Dignitaries including the Vice Lord Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Dr The Honourable Gilbert Greenall, and the High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle, joined the commemorations as wreaths were laid at the stone unveiled a decade ago in memory of all ranks of the Worcestershire Regiment.

The service was conducted by Reverend Lindsey Coulthard, Priest in Charge of St Stephen's Church in Barbourne, and the act of remembrance organised by Rob Atkinson with John Walters serving as parade marshal. 

HONOUR: Parade marshal John Walters in he red sash took the time to praise and encourage young cadets, telling them they should all be proud of themselves for their role in the commemorations HONOUR: Parade marshal John Walters in his red sash took the time to praise and encourage young cadets, telling them they should all be proud of themselves for their role in the commemorations (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mark Jackson, chairman of the board of trustees of the Mercian Regiment Museum, said: "We all joined the commemorations on June 6 and listened and watched in admiration and gratitude to the stories of the few remaining D-Day veterans, so why are we here on June 22?

"The answer to that question lies in the true enormity of what was achieved in D-Day 80 years ago. That was the day when the war in Europe finally really began to swing our way and was the beginning of the end for Hitler's fascism."

MEMORY: The standard bearers honour those who fought during D-Day from the Worcestershire Regiment MEMORY: The standard bearers honour those who fought during D-Day from the Worcestershire Regiment (Image: Alan Bray)

He explained the history of the regiment in the Second World War - in Israel, India, Dunkirk, Abyssinia, North Africa with Worcestershire volunteer paratroopers involved in the Normandy campaign on June 6, 1944.

Meanwhile, on that date, lieutenant colonel Jackson explained that the 2nd and 7th Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment were heavily engaged in the Battle of Imphal and the relief of Kohima 'which turned the tide of the Japanese invasions'.

SALUTE: All generations took part in the Worcestershire Regiment D-Day commemoration at Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne, Worcester SALUTE: All generations took part in the Worcestershire Regiment D-Day commemoration at Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne, Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The 1st Battalion had been due to land on June 17, 1944 but storms in the Channel delayed the mission until June 22 when soldiers landed at Mount Fleury on Gold Beach. When they embarked for Normandy they had 36 officers and 800 men. 

Lieutenant colonel Jackson told the people watching the service that the men of the Worcestershire Regiment were launched 'straight into combat', later leading the assault as they crossed the River Seine west of Paris.

 

 

"While D-Day is part of a wider story, it is a seminal date in the whole World War II story because from that date the tide turned and victory was achieved.

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"That is why it is important that we never forget the extraordinary achievements of the ordinary young men and women of Worcestershire and, in particular, why every November we will all gather together again to remember the 1,013 men of the Worcestershire Regiment who laid down their lives during the whole of World War II."

The last post was played before a minute's silence was observed and prayers were said for those who died in the World Wars and other conflicts.

The National Anthem was sung before all were invited to attend Barbourne Ex Servicemen's Club in The Moors in Worcester.