Battle sites, memorials and cemetery visits were the focus of Anglia Motel veterans Graham Smith and Harold Payne during their recent visit to Normandy.
Tilly-sur-Seulles, Ranville, Bayeux Cemetery and Memorial and the Mont-Ormel Memorial were on the agenda for the first day, followed the next day by the Pegasus Bridge, the Merville Gun Battery Museum, and the Normandy American Cemetery and visitor centre at Omaha Beach, enjoying a practice American flypast, then to the German war Cemetery at La Cambe.
Graham and Harold attended the Remembrance Service at Ranville organised by the 6th Airborne Division, 1st and 4th Commando Brigades, Royal Air Force and other allied forces.
Graham said: “It was an amazing experience with at least 3,000 people there including a dozen or so WWII veterans, two local bands and hundreds of school children.
“Finally we went back to Pegasus to see a Sunset Ceremony by the Royal Navy. Bouquets and other memorabilia were laid at all sites visited on behalf of the group.”
