This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and as a significant milestone year, much like in 2014 and 2019, an event was held on 5th June in recognition of the aircrew and soldiers that took off from Harwell for the D-Day operations.
As part of the significant milestone year, being the 80th Anniversary since D-Day, Harwell Branch RBL, supported by Harwell Campus, organised a “Festival of Remembrance evening at the Memorial stone, and saw an exciting evening’s entertainment, with a mix of history, remembrance and musical entertainment.
Local Dignitaries from Harwell and Chilton Parish Councils, plus members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) from Harwell Branch and the RBL County accompanied the Deputy Lieutenant, Brig Dennis Blease the event’s Guest of Honour to a light buffet hosted by Harwell Campus before arriving at the Harwell memorial Stone to join the waiting public and marching band of the 1460 (Banbury) Squadron Air Training Corps, who offered musical accompaniment to the evening’s event with tunes from the period.
Steve Wright, a prominent D-Day Historian, and long-standing supporter of D-Day commemorations at Harwell gave a rousing historical retelling of the events leading up to 5th June, offering a feeling of what the airfield would have looked like 80 years ago, and detailing the operations the troops who left Harwell took part in.
A 2 minute silence was recognised after which a wreath was laid by the Guest of Honour.
Poppy Appeal collection buckets and card readers were circulating during the event and raised £644, with thanks to Hazel Benton for the effort put in.
Thanks are also due to Steve Guest, Natalie Gelder and Bex Duvall of Harwell Campus for hosting the invited guests with a light buffet, and proving chairs for the guests and, printing programmes, and to Alan Proctor (and team) for managing the car parking and event security.
Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page – Facebook link
Peter Davies
Harwell RBL Branch Ceremonial Officer