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80th anniversary of 'D-day' - 6 June 1944

About D-Day

Unprecedented coordination between Allied nations, and the intensive planning of engineers, meteorologists, logisticians and countless more, led to a force from 13 countries approaching Normandy in a 5000-vessel armada.

In the early hours of D-Day, 24,000 paratroopers and glider-borne troops landed behind German lines to provide tactical support. Massive naval and aerial bombardments attempted to supress the German defences and weaponry. Then a ground force of more than 130,000 troops came ashore on five beaches across a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast, with the first waves often facing intact defences. By the end of D-Day there had been 10,000 allied casualties. Yet this was only the beginning. The ensuing Battle of Normandy was to last into August and cost tens of thousands of lives as it defeated and repulsed the occupying German forces eastwards. It was a decisive success for the Allies and paved the way for the liberation of much of north west Europe.

The Branch Members supported the Copythorne Parish Council and the Copythorne Parish Hall committee on Thursday 6 June 2024

at Copythorne Parish Hall 

Millbrook ACF Band

D-Day presentation by Major Jens Gron, RASC

The Beacon was lit by

Brigadier David Harrison JP

at 9.15pm

Hundreds of beacons were lit all over the country to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

The event was non-fund raising, BUT donations made to five Service charities raised £360. OUR THANKS TO YOU ALL for your support.

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11-11-11

The annual ceremony at the Royal British Legion Hall in Southampton Road, on Saturday 11 November to remember those of our comrades who have fallen in battle since 1914

The Branch standard was dipped in their honour at 1100 hrs and the Legion's 'exhortation' was recited in memory of all who have fallen.

"They shall grow NOT old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"

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The

HYDE BAND

gave an excellent CONCERT on Saturday 29th April 2023

at Copythorne Parish Hall

Sadly, numbers attending were down -

but an excellent programme was enjoyed by all.

Thank you to those who attended - you had a marvelous evening

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