MALMESBURY LIGHTS A BEACON TO MARK 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY LANDINGS

The town of Malmesbury will join the international programme of activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings on Thursday June 6 including the lighting of a beacon as

D-Day was the largest naval, air and land operation ever seen, with a collaboration of allies joining forces. and a turning point in World War 2 which then ended on 8 May 1945. 

A tribute will be read and the beacon lit in Cuckingstool Mead, Malmesbury at 9.15pm, with residents and visitors welcomed to the commemoration evening from 8pm. 

The event will include music from Malmesbury Concert Band, a bar and fish & chip mobile van, as it’s also National Fish & Chip Day – something known as quintessentially British. Malmesbury Concert Band has 25 musicians who will play a varied repertoire of music which is appropriate for the occasion. They will play from 8pm to 8.45pm then from 9.30pm to the event’s close. 

Malmesbury’s Mayor Cllr Phil Exton said: “We’re proud to be part of the international 80th D Day celebrations. It’s very important to remember the D Day landings and give our thanks for the courage and bravery of all those who took part in the military operation, both on the frontline and behind the scenes. Every community in the UK was impacted by the war, and we are thankful to those who defended our freedoms then and today.

“We hope many people in Malmesbury and nearby will join us to mark this auspicious occasion.”

It was on June 6 1944 that Operation Overlord began when 5,000 ships and landing craft arrived in Normandy and 130,000 men landed on the five beaches of Normandy. 

The battle that ensued led to the loss of 1000s of lives but proved pivotal in the fight against the Nazis. It was a turning point in the war which ended almost a year later.

The first international beacon will be lit at 8.15pm overlooking Gold Beach, in Normandy, followed by beacons on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Juno and Sword. This will then lead to beacons being lit around the world to remember. 

Other activities taking place in Malmesbury the same day include the official proclamation at the Town Hall at 8am and the town bells ringing at 6.30pm. This community event is free to attend and updates are available on the council’s website or social media - https://www.malmesbury.gov.uk