Events will take place across South Holland and beyond to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day today (Thursday, June 6).
The Normandy landings on D-Day during World War II were the largest seaborne invasion in history, involving more than 5,000 vessels and 160,000 Allied troops.
Allied casualties on the first day were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead. The Germans lost 1,000 men.
Civilian casualties are estimated at 3,000 over two days.
Special services are taking place in both Spalding and Pinchbeck.
Attendees will muster at Ayscoughfee Cafe at 10.45am today and march to the new war memorial in the gardens for a service conducted by Rev Barbara Hutchinson at 11am.
Pinchbeck’s service takes place at the village’s war memorial this evening. Those attending are asked to muster at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.
It will be conduced by baptist pastor Sue Sanders and be followed by refreshments in the church hall.
Moulton’s D-Day commemorations begin tonight (Thursday) with a lantern parade leaving the village’s mill at 8.30pm.
It will go through the village green and down Broad Lane to the beacon for the national lighting of the beacons at 9.15pm.
On Saturday there will be a 40s afternoon from 12pm to 4pm with military vehicles and re-enactment groups on the village green and the community centre.
Holbeach’s Royal British Legion will be part of a service at the war memorial outside All Saints’ Church at 11am today.
Legion members will raise a special commemorative flag and church representatives will speak about the significance of D-Day.
All are welcome to attend.
Holbeach is also marking D-Day, along with Holbeach Parish Council’s event to mark the centenary of Carter’s Park, on Saturday, June 15.
That will include a day of events, sports workshops, a pop-up museum and live music from the 1920s to the present.
Fleet Hargate Field is another holding an event surrounding the lighting of the beacon at 9.15pm.
The event starts at 7pm with those attending invited to bring a picnic or buy fish and chips.
Holbeach St Marks will light its beacon at 8.15pm with events surrounding it starting at 6.30pm including a mini exhibition of items marking the village’s Home Guard. The village hall bar will also be open.
Today Stagecoach East is offering free travel to serving personnel in uniform or with an ID card, veterans wearing medals or with veterans ID, and cadets attending events.
Others from South Holland are going even further afield.
Veterans’ champion Harold Payne from Fleet is currently in Normandy and set to put thousands of roses in the sea.
