Gosport D-Day memorial receives finishing touches
THE FINISHING touches to Gosport’s latest D-Day Memorial were applied when Alverstoke councillor Zoe Huggins unveiled two special plaques at Stokes Bay in a special event held last week, which brought together the community despite heavy rain throughout.
It comes after a long running campaign to try and raise the funds to construct a bigger memorial than the existing standing stones that marked the two embarkation points in Gosport. These were part of the largest amphibious invasion fleet ever assembled and the final part of the jigsaw was completed with two special plaques.
One features prominently on the granite memorial unveiled by D-Day veteran Albert Westgate and Lieutenant General David Bill back in June, on the last day of the 80th anniversary year of the thousands of British and Canadian troops and sailors who assembled along the length of Stokes Bay, before setting off for Normandy on the night of June 5, 1944.
The Gosport D-Day Fellowship’s memorial director Jilly Salvat asked Cllr Huggins to unveil the two plaques – including the main dedication on the granite stone. The other – to the side of the main stone – lists the notable sponsors including those who paid for the benches that represent each of the French beaches which the Allies attacked nearly 82 years to begin the long fight to free Europe of Hitler’s tyrannical reign, and defeat Germany in May 1945.
Mrs Salvat said: “The Fellowship were determined to deliver the legacy of our founders Malcolm Chapman and Tony Belben to finally build a war memorial that dignified the sacrifices of thousands of men, and their families, who took part in the D-Day invasion.
“Once the borough council money promised to help build Fellowship’s grand vision – in conjunction with Hampshire County Council – was withdrawn nearly four years ago, followed by Malcolm’s sad passing, it fell to me to make something happen so all our founders’ efforts were not in vain.
“Zoe has been invaluable with advice and support throughout. She has been the one person I could always call upon – other than my husband David – to help deal with the many administrative hoops we were forced to jump through in order to get both the planning permission for our new design approved, and in signing the legal documents required by the borough council.
“Just over a year ago the Fellowship was forced to apply to be formally recognised by the Charity Commission in order to meet those legal obligations, and we were required to find three trustees who would serve for at least three years to ensure our compliance with the rules.
“Without the generosity of all the Fellowship’s supporters over the last couple of years, and the fundraising efforts of our team – including Derek and Linda Ince who organise our annual dinner dance – this would never have happened.”
When the memorial was unveiled and dedicated during a service led by the Dean of Gosport Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain, a temporary plaque was installed on the granite stone kindly donated by the developers of nearby Fort Gilkicker, which was a signalling station on D-Day.
Since then, the last of the donations have been received to pay for the five benches, enabling the sponsors’ plaque to be completed – while the landscaping around the semi-circular paving, has been completed by the Fellowship’s volunteers.
Jilly added: “I would like to thank our trustees – Andrew Griffin, Dennis Wren, Anne Wilkinson, and our member Sarah Cope for all the work they have put in over the last 13 months to help David and I complete the memorial project.
“Zoe has been our unofficial fourth trustee during that process, and I was delighted she accepted our invitation to unveil the final two pieces of what has been a very intricate jigsaw puzzle, which I am sure everyone connected with Gosport can now be very proud of, and enjoy for decades to come.”
The borough and county councillor, who has just been appointed as Hampshire’s executive lead member for adult social care, was delighted to be asked to perform the unveiling ceremony.
She said: “Having grown up in Gosport, I think it is wonderful that we finally have a more substantial memorial to all the heroes of D-Day that left Stokes Bay on that dark night in June 1944.”
“I am very proud that I was able to help Jilly and the D-Day Fellowship members complete their long journey to finish the memorial project after so many setbacks. It has been a real community effort, and it has been a major achievement to complete it. Now, even after all these years, we have a memorial we can all be proud of and all the visitors coming to Gosport can see and learn about Stokes Bay and our vital role in liberating Europe.
“The memorial also remembers those that served in our military and those that continue to serve. This was a community effort, a space for all to remember and reflect. And most importantly we have something the children of Gosport can see, and learn more about the town’s significant military and social history during the war period, for many years to come.”
The benches were sponsored by Bert and Helen Keefe, Montserrat Events, Sandra and Ian Close, the late Malcolm Chapman, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Gosport Rotary Club.
Other sponsors included Helyers of Hampshire, who constructed the memorial, as well as Gilkicker Builders, Powder Monkey Brewing Company, Hampshire Flag Company, The Alverbank Hotel and Stokes Bay Sailing Club. Three borough councillors – former council leader Graham Burgess, Zoe Huggins and Lesley Meenaghan – who attended the ceremony – also donated to the fund.
PICTURED BY ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES: High profile guests stand in front of new D-Day memorial at event held on Friday (February 6).
