The annual D-Day Service held at the Harwell Stone was held on the evening of Saturday 3rd June and was well attended by local dignitaries, veterans, youth groups, representatives of local businesses and local residents.
The event was jointly organised by the Harwell Branch of the Royal British Legion and Duncan Rogers of Harwell Campus with the support of Harwell and Chilton Churches.
The parade’s popularity continues to grow with both new and regular organisations sending representatives. We also welcomed as Guest of Honour the Deputy Lieutenant Angus Horner who led the wreath laying and offered his own words of remembrance at the end of the service.
A total of 38 wreaths were laid, from a broad breadth of organisations: local Mayors from Didcot, Wantage and Abingdon, plus councillors from Chilton, Harwell and VOWH Councils, the armed forces in the shape of 4 Regt and 7 Regt from Dalton Barracks, 11 EOD&S Regt from Vauxhall Barracks and a representative from RAF Benson.
A large number of Veterans organisations across Oxfordshire and Berkshire attended, as well as representation from the campus business and other local organisations.
A Guard of honour was formed by the Wantage and Didcot Squadrons of the Air Training Corps joined by the first attendance of Neville Company of the Army Cadet Force. There were 22 Standards on Parade carried by the RBL, Airborne Association, Cadet Forces, and the Chilton Scouts.
The Service was conducted by Rev. Pam Rolls.The Last Post was sounded by Tony Hughes which was played after a flypast conducted courtesy of Rich Pillans (on the ground) and Paul McNulty (pilot) by a former Army Air Corps Slingsby T67 Firefly.
A collection was made for the Poppy Appeal which totalled £85.30
Thanks are also due to Duncan Rogers of Harwell Campus for the site preparation and management, printing a significant number of service sheets and granting permission and access to hold the event.
Photos of the event can be found via the Branch Facebook page – Harwell RBL Facebook page
The Branch Treasurer’s Flikr Account – Simon Haycox, via Flikr
And also in this Oxford Mail article
The inscription on the stone reads:
“THIS STONE MARKS THE END OF THE RUNWAY FROM WHICH AIRCRAFT OF No. 38 GROUP ROYAL AIR FORCE TOOK OFF ON THE NIGHT OF 5 JUNE 1944 WITH TROOPS OF THE 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION WHO WERE AMONG THE FIRST BRITISH SOLDIERS TO LAND IN NORMANDY ON THE MAIN ASSAULT FOR THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE”
Peter Davies
Harwell RBL Branch Ceremonial Officer