Town to unite for D-Day anniversary (From Warrington Guardian)

Town to unite for D-Day anniversary

WINSFORD will commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the brave feats of all those involved with a service of commemoration on Sunday.

Veterans and civic dignitaries will gather at the town centre's war memorials at around 10.35am for a special ceremony to pay tribute to those who took part in the Normandy landings in 1944.

And Debbie Clewes, secretary of the town's Royal British Legion branch, is appealing to members of the public to attend the service while the survivors of D-Day are still alive.

She said: "This is a major event. It is one of the most important calendar dates to the British Legion along with Remembrance Day on November 11.

"But considering the age of so many veterans nowadays there will be very few left when it comes to the 70th anniversary. So it is important at this one that everyone comes out to support it."

The county's soldiers were part of the massive D-Day initiative, with the Second Battalion of the 22nd Cheshire Regiment landing at Gold Beach on June 6, 1944 as part of the 50th Northumbrian Division.

Both the mayor of Vale Royal, Clr Anne Hooker, and Winsford town mayor Clr Don Beckett will attend the commemoration service, which will include the laying of wreaths for fallen comrades.

Debbie added that the Winsford branch standard would not be flown on the day, but will be at Blackpool as part of the regional celebrations, and the Cheshire Regiment standard will be flown at Winsford instead.

A minute's silence will be held at 11am for those who died serving their country.

Debbie said: "We would be grateful if local shops and organisations in the town centre would join with us and observe the silence as well."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk