Service of Commemoration to mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Wakefield Council is inviting residents to attend a Service of Commemoration to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings.

The service on Thursday 06 June will commence at 20:00 at Wakefield Cathedral and will be led by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Reverend Tony Robinson.

Cllr Josie Pritchard, Wakefield Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “This 80th anniversary of D-Day will be the most poignant yet. There will be major events right across the country, celebrating the heroic sacrifice made by so many in June 1944.

“Our veterans and their families deserve the ongoing gratitude of everyone in our country. Please join us on 06 June to commemorate what they did to protect our way of life during the landings in Normandy. Everyone is welcome, no ticket required.”

The 06 June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces mounted the largest seaborne invasion the world has ever witnessed. In 1944 Operation Overlord saw over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 130,000 troops on five Normandy beaches in an action that marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

The soldiers who landed on the Normandy beaches represented a beacon of light for the world during this dark period. This heroism and sacrifice which secured the peace and freedom enjoyed today will be observed on the 6 June by the lighting of beacons across the world.

The International 80th Anniversary Beacon will be lit at 20:15 alongside the British Normandy Memorial, overlooking Gold Beach, and will represent the other four Beaches – Utah, Omaha, Juno and Sword, followed by the Principal United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man beacon on His Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth at 21:15.

Villages, towns and cities have been asked to light beacons simultaneously at 21:15 to remember the 80th anniversary. The Wakefield beacon will be positioned outside the Cathedral’s West door, and will be lit by the Mayor, Cllr Darren Byford, at 21:15, following the service.