D-Day 80th Anniversary

6 Jun 2024

Witham Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

Red "80" on a grayscale WWII battle background, surrounded by various national flags. "D-DAY 6 June 2024" text at the bottom.

Bagpipe band in red tartan kilts marches on a street lined with onlookers, carrying colorful flags. A festive and traditional scene.

On Thursday 6th June 2024, Witham Town Council held a parade, service and beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Parade, which was led by the Caledonian Pipe Band, consisted of a variety of dignitaries, uniformed organisations and members of the public. It set off from The Avenue and finished at The River Walk, by Chipping Hill Bridge.

There was a short service which included readings of testimonies of those who took part in the landings, which was led by The Mayor of Witham, Reverend Michael Child, Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, members of the Royal British Legion, 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Sqn RAFAC and the Witham BB. The ceremonial beacon was lit at 9:15pm by the Deputy Lieutenant, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Jackie Allan QVRM TD.

The Parade and Service was also attended by 101-year-old veteran, Arthur ‘Nobby’ Clark, who served during the D-Day landings and was part of a four-man crew of landing craft operators. The crowd of over 1,000 people spontaneously applauded Nobby. The Town Council would like to thank Arthur and his family for attending.

The Town Council would also like to thank everyone who took part with a special thanks to the fifty 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Sqn RAFAC cadets who marched as on the 5th June 1944, the night before the D-Day invasions, twenty-one aircraft from 295 Squadron stationed at Rivenhall Airfield, with aircraft from 570 Squadron dropped the first troops to lead the invasion force into Normandy.

Elderly man in a navy beret and decorated blazer seated outdoors. Medals are displayed on his chest, conveying honor. Lush greenery behind.

Five people hold colorful flags on a grassy lawn at sunset. A house and bushes are in the background, creating a solemn atmosphere.

A crowd watches a uniformed person standing before a large, burning beacon. It's an outdoor gathering with green fencing and lush trees.

Three uniformed men stand solemnly holding colorful flags. Medals adorn one man's chest. Green foliage in the background.

Bagpipers in tartan kilts perform at an outdoor event with a large crowd and trees in the background. St Nicolas Church tower is visible.

People in scout uniforms and others walk along a road lined with greenery. The mood is organized and focused heading into the River Walk for the D-Day Memorial Ceremony.

Crowd of people in a park, some in uniforms and kilts, gathering for an event. Trees and St Nicolas Church visible in the background. Mood is lively.