D-Day memorial unveiled in Stokes Bay ceremony
A NEW MEMORIAL has officially been unveiled at Stokes Bay to commemorate the 81st anniversary of D-Day with thousands of personnel leaving the historic location back in June 1944; thus starting the largest amphibious invasion in history that is also known as Operation Overlord / Normandy Landings.
The new memorial was unveiled at a solemn ceremony late last week with HMS Sultan being represented by Commander Megan Ashton, Officer Commanding the Royal Navy Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School. She joined one hundred year old D-Day veteran Albert Westgate and local dignitaries for the event, which was held in overcast but dry conditions.
The memorial stands adjacent to the existing Mulberry Harbour memorial and serves as a permanent tribute to the sacrifice of those involved. The site includes five metal benches representing the beaches invaded during Operation Overlord, surrounding a centrepiece of granite taken from a casemate during renovations of Fort Gilkicker.
Located next to Stokes Bay Sailing Club, the memorial provides a place for reflection overlooking the Solent, where a large part of the Naval fleet departed for Operation Neptune in the build-up to D-Day.
The memorial project has been five years in the making and has been driven by members from the Gosport D-Day Fellowship. Jilly Salvat, who led the project following the death of the Fellowship’s founder Malcolm Chapman, worked tirelessly with volunteers to complete the installation before the end of the D-Day 80th anniversary year.
Commander Ashton said: “It is a profound honour to unveil this memorial that connects us directly to the Greatest Generation. The legacy of D-Day continues to inspire today’s service personnel as we defend the UK and protect our way of life. The alliances forged during the Second World War still keep us safe today, and we remain resolute in our commitment to remember those who served, those who sacrificed, and those who secured our freedom.”
The official party included Hampshire Deputy Lord Lieutenant Commodore Richard Powell OBE, Sir David Bill, a retired Lieutenant General, Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, the leader of Hampshire County Council Nick Adams-King, and the Mayor of Gosport councillor Kirsten Bradley. A representative from the Canadian Embassy was also present, representing the 14,000 troops from Canada who sailed to Juno Beach.
The ceremony included a procession led by a Corps of Drums, a two-minute silence, and the playing of the Last Post and Reveille, before concluding with the National Anthem. A formal dedication service was further conducted by the Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain, the Dean of Gosport and vicar at St Faith’s. Among the attendees were families of the top secret Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, who were based at Hayling Island from 1943 until the end of the war.
The memorial project, led by the Gosport D-Day Fellowship, has been timed to coincide with wider national commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day earlier this year. It further brings June 1944 back to the forefront of those who paid a huge part in the anniversary occasions last year, which included large scale community events across this local area.
Mr Westgate, who arrived at Omaha Beach six days after the initial landings as a wireless operator, reflected on his wartime experience as he stated: “Compared to others I was very fortunate because the losses for the RAF around about that time were horrendous.” It is reported that D-Day saw 4,414 deaths across the Allied Forces whilst five thousand were further wounded in fighting.
Mrs Salvat stated “We are delighted that Mr Westgate has agreed to join us for the ceremony. The town will finally have a place where people who visit the historic seafront can reflect on the sacrifices thousands of men and women made in the largest amphibious assault in history. The memorial will serve as a focal point for future commemorations and as an educational resource for generations to come.”
PICTURED BY GOSPORT D-DAY FELLOWSHIP: Commander Megan Ashton unveils a bench at the new D-Day memorial at Stokes Bay.
