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Pupils mark D-Day with models and 1940s dress

Martin Giles/BBC Children dressed as evacueesMartin Giles/BBC
Pupils at Nelson Academy dressed as wartime evacuees and visited care home residents to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Schoolchildren have marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by dressing in 1940s costumes, making model Spitfires and eating lunch based on wartime rations.

Pupils from Nelson Academy in Downham Market, Norfolk, also visited Downham Grange Care Home to speak to residents about their wartime experiences.

Head teacher Sarah Wilson said the school always tried to make learning creative and fun.

"But there is also that message, that mark of respect, for those people who sacrificed so much years ago for us today," she added.

Martin Giles/BBC Boy holding red model of planeMartin Giles/BBC
Pupils made models of wartime aircraft as part of the D-Day events

Jill Sek, head of art, built a display of dozens of planes, tanks and boats made by the children to help them connect with the story of the invasion of Normandy.

"We've got so many different ones; we've got cardboard, we've got wooden ones. Some of them have made them out of Lego - it's just incredible," she said.

Evie. nine, said: "It's a bit different to normal school. We're dressed up for D-Day and it's because there were evacuations because of the Second World War and a lot of children had to leave their homes."

Max, also nine, said: "I think it's probably one of the most interesting things I've heard about. I'm wearing a military suit because I wanted to remember the soldiers."

Staff also joined in, wearing wartime costumes.

Milly, eight, said: "It's funny seeing the teachers dressed up. They look a little bit odd, not at all like they do on the regular days."

Clare Worden/BBC Evie, Max and Milly dressed in 1940s style clothing in front of a display of D-Day vehiclesClare Worden/BBC
Evie, Max and Milly enjoyed learning more about D-Day
Clare Worden/BBC Head of Art at Nelson Academy Jill Sek dressed as a member of the Women's Land Army sitting in front of D-Day planes and boats made by the children. Clare Worden/BBC
Head of art Jill Sek dressed as a Land Girl

King's Lynn was among the other Norfolk towns to mark the anniversary, with tanks parked on its Tuesday Market Place.

They were the backdrop to the annual Freedom Parade in which personnel from nearby RAF Marham march through the town.

The station was first granted the freedom of the borough in 1981, allowing personnel to march through the town with bayonets fixed, colours flying and bands playing.

Paul Bland, mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk said: "This parade celebrates the area's military connections and expresses our gratitude to everyone at RAF Marham for their service to our community.

"I’m pleased that we can also mark the Normandy Landings on the same day."

West Norfolk Borough Council Tanks being driven into Kings Lynn for the Freedom Parade.West Norfolk Borough Council
Tanks were driven into King's Lynn for the Freedom Parade
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