Torquay honours D-Day heroes where history was made

The story of Torquay’s role in preparations for the D-Day landings of 1944  will live on through the generations as a result of the town’s annual harbourside service.

Dozens of children from local schools joined military veterans and other VIPs for the annual service to mark the anniversary of the Normandy landings which turned the tide of the Second World War.

Hundreds of American soldiers embarked on landing craft from the slipways of the town in preparation for the perilous channel crossing and the deadly-dangerous landings on the beaches of northern France.

Torbay Mayor Barbara Lewis was among the speakers during the event, which brought a large crowd to the harbour.

Above: Mayor Barbara Lewis at D-Day service

Afterwards she said: “It’s very important that this happens here every year.

“We shouldn’t forget things like this, and it makes it even more important as the children grow up that we let them know what went on, and how many people lost their lives so that we could be here today.”

Cllr Lewis said she had been surprised by the number of people who had come out to take part in the event, and stressed the importance of keeping the historic slipways in good condition.

She said: “They’ve got to be kept up so that when tourists and residents come here, they can remember what went on.”

Also among the speakers was Lieutenant Juan Cardona, currently the US Navy’s liaison officer at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

He said: “I think it’s important for me to be here today. A lot of Americans don’t understand the history that the American military played in this part of the country. I certainly didn’t before coming out here.

“But there’s a lot of history, and a lot of connections that we have between our two countries and our two services.

“For me, it’s impactful to see where it all started. I would like to see in the future, hopefully, more Americans understanding our role here and getting to do this in person.”

Above: D-Day service march past

Taking the salute during a march-past of veterans, and representing the King, was Deputy Lieutenant of Devon Robin Barlow.

He said it was ‘critically important’ to remember the sacrifices that were made in wartime.

“There is a whole generation of young people, men and women, who went to war for us, so we can stand here today enjoying our freedoms,” he said. “They must never be forgotten. 

“Having so many children  here makes it very special, because they’re the generation, particularly, that needs to remember. They need to feel included in all that we do around remembrance.”

Before the memorial service special information boards detailng the story of the D-Day landings were unveiled.

Torquay Royal British Legion stalwart and standard bearer Lionel Digby said: “This was the 81st anniversary of the D-Day  landings of the Allied forces on  the beaches of France on June 6th 1944 which brought the end of the war in 1945.

Above: D-Day service Torquay RBL standard bearer Lionel Digby

“The service was well attended, with the high sheriff of Devon, deputy Lord lieutenant of Devon, the Mayor, councils, the Royal British Legion and other standards on parade — with a large contingent of veterans.

“Unfortunately there were no Normandy veterans but we were allowed to draw the Normandy Veterans association standard from Torre Abbey where it is laid up.

“We will always remember them.”

He added: “The Normandy Veterans Commemoration Service, held next to the embarkation ramps on Torquay harbourside, provided a chance to remember and say thank you to those who gave their lives for our freedoms.”

VIPs paying their respects and at the unveiling of the boards included the high sheriff of Devon Caroline Harlow, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon Robin Barlow, Torbay mayor Barbara Lewis, Royal British Legion Devon County President Rear Admiral Chris Snow and US Navy representative, lieutenant John Juancardona.