Pictures: North Devon remembers as D-Day 80 events held across the region

People across North Devon and Torridge joined forces to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings with a variety of community events.

D-Day 80 beacons were lit in Bideford, Appledore and Torrington, communities held 1940s dances, the official D-Day Proclamation was read by town criers and people of all ages gathered to remember those who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

There was also commemoration of all those at home and abroad who had played their part in that pivotal moment which ultimately ended World War Two.

Above: The Hummingbirds next to the Rolls Royce used by Churchill and Roosevelt at Beaford’s D-Day 80 event. Credit: Beaford Village Hall

To mark the sacrifice of the many thousands involved in the D-Day landings and the fight for freedom, beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories - plus a Lamp Light of Peace will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy.

Barnstaple held a special memorial service at Rock Park, organised by the town council – and there were vintage WW2 vehicles as re-enactors on the Square.

Above: The Torrington Cavaliers built a beacon and bonfire. Credit: Steve Blake

Bideford Town Council hosted a community event and beacon lighting at the Pollyfield Centre, with 1940s songs from The Liberty Sisters, while Appledore had its own event on the quay, organised by Northam Town Council and with music from Appledore Band.

Ilfracombe saw former town crier Roy Goodwin come out of retirement to read the official proclamation and he also joined people at St Brannock’s Church in Braunton, at the American Tree in the churchyard – planted by servicemen before they left for France.

Above: Ilfracombe town crier Roy Goodwin came out of retirement to read the D-Day 80 proclamation on the seafront on the morning of June 6, joined by a crowd, local veterans and dignitaries. Credit: JPL Devon Events

Torrington Cavaliers lit a beacon and the town also had Boogie in the Bunker at the town hall on the Saturday evening.

Beaford too had a beacon ceremony on June 6, followed by a family event on the Saturday with 1940s songs courtesy of the Hummingbirds, organised by the village hall committee and volunteers. There was also a fabulous Rolls Royce Phantom 1, which had been used by Churchill and Roosevelt.

Kenwith Castle care home at Abbotsham near Bideford held an afternoon of reminiscence with a street party and live entertainment on June 6, for residents and with an open invitation for any local veterans to join them.

One Kenwith resident, John, was part of the D-Day landings and travelled right through France and Germany as a driver.

While in Germany, he met his late wife, Betty, who was in the WRAF and they were married at the end of the war. Enroute to their honeymoon, John was tasked with driving Hermann Goering’s staff car to an American airbase to be flown over to the US.

Above: Residents at Kenwith Castle care home in Bideford take part in their D-Day event. Credit: Care South

In Normandy itself, Barnstaple-based The Veterans Charity unveiled a new memorial to the first allied soldier to die on D-Day, Lance Corporal Fred Greenhalgh, on the Landing Zone at Pegasus Bridge.  

Above: Vivien Foster OBE from Clovelly and national president of the Merchant Navy Association laid a wreath in memory of merchant sailors at the British Garden of Peace in Caen

Also, in Normandy, Vivien Foster OBE from Clovelly and national president of the Merchant Navy Association laid a wreath in memory of merchant sailors at the British Garden of Peace in Caen at the Merchant Navy monument there.

She said: “It was a great privilege to be at the 80th D-Day Anniversary Commemorations with thousands of others. We also visited five other memorials to lay wreaths for the Merchant Navy.

“Disappointed that all the media coverage never mentioned the MN despite it playing an important role in Operation Overlord especially at Port en Bessin where the fuel pipeline Pluto was installed to facilitate the fuel requirements of the armed forces as well as supplies for the invasion.”

South Molton Pannier Market and its traders were dressed up for D-Day on June 6 too, plus there was a Willys Jeep in the Square and music from South Molton Town Band.

Above: South Molton had a Willys Jeep in the square as part of D-Day 80 events hosted at South Molton Pannier market. Credit: SM Pannier Market

**** Scroll through our picture gallery above for more North Devon D-Day 80 images ****