Southampton's plans to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day announced

Plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings have been announced by a city council.

A service and parade will take place in Southampton on 6 June - exactly 80 years on from the Normandy landings.

The day will begin at 08:00 BST with a special proclamation from the city's town crier.

Southampton played a large role in D-Day preparations, with hundreds of thousands of British and American troops based around the city.

Archie Parsons, from Southampton Royal British Legion, said: "Southampton played a crucial part in World War Two and it's incredibly important that we continue to remember those that fought and lost their lives."

The service will be held in the evening at Holyrood Church, which was bombed in November 1940 during the Blitz.

A military parade will then be led by the 17th Port & Maritime Regiment, with veterans encouraged to take part.

They will make their way through the High Street, passing the Bargate, and finishing in Guildhall Square where a special beacon will be lit.

Councillor Valerie Laurent, Lord Mayor of Southampton, said: "The 80th anniversary offers us a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into our city's significant contribution to this historic occasion, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of our shared history."

She added that the "pivotal role" that Southampton played was testament to the city's "resilience and unyielding spirit".

More than 3.5 million servicemen passed through Southampton on their way to Normandy as it was one of the main embarkation points for the invasion.

Other events, including special exhibitions in the city's museums, will also be taking place to mark the anniversary of what remains the largest amphibious invasion in military history.

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