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D-Day 80: Oxfordshire museum appeals for stories ahead of 80th anniversary

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum frontSoldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
The museum already has permanent D-Day interactive displays that it aims to expand

A military museum is appealing a wider range of D-Day stories and childhood memories from 1944.

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) in Woodstock will commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day by expanding its permanent displays.

A special exhibition is aiming to tell the stories of Oxfordshire people about the build-up, D-Day invasion, and Normandy campaign that followed.

The new display will open from 18 May to 24 September.

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Archive image of Major John Howard with soldiers of 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light InfantrySoldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
Major John Howard with soldiers of 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, during Oxford Salute the Soldier celebration, May 1944

Museum visitors can already sit inside a recreated section of an Airspeed Horsa Glider, the type used to carry men of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry to Normandy.

Audio headsets allow them to hear Major John Howard recount his memories of the historic Pegasus Bridge operation.

Colin J Morris A Woman's War permanent displayColin J Morris
A Woman's War is one of the museum's permanent displays

Chairman David Shouesmith explained that the anniversary "is an opportunity to restate and refresh" some of those "compelling" stories.

He added there would be "many other less dramatic stories" that they were keen to bring to light, "and which may resonate with wider audiences", such as meeting Allied soldiers.

In addition to the anniversary exhibition, other stories and perspectives will be explored, such as the contribution of many RAF stations and other sites across Oxfordshire.

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Drawing of Horsa Glider, signed by veterans of the Pegasus Bridge operationSoldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
This drawing of Horsa Glider, signed by veterans of the Pegasus Bridge operation, is part of the museum collection

A new online talk will also be streamed on 22 May at 19:00 GMT, titled The Pegasus Story: In Their Own Words, which will make use of recorded interviews from veterans of the Pegasus Bridge operation.

The museum will also host Ingram Murray, formerly an officer in the Royal Engineers and Parachute Regiments for a talk on the Sappers in the Gliders on 30 May 2024.

D-Day stories can be submitted to the museum via its website, over the phone or by email.

Colin J Morris Heroes gallery in the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum receptionColin J Morris
Apart from the new display, the museum is also planning other events in celebration of the 80th anniversary
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