We must remember

80 years ago today Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in France on what has gone down in history as D-Day.

It was the biggest seaborne invasion in history and was the beginning the liberation of France from Nazi control and, ultimately, victory on the Western Front.

Despite this, the Allied forces suffered more casualties, with 10,000-plus estimated on D-Day with the Germans thought to have suffered 4,000-9,000 casualties.

Around 150,000 troops from Britain, America, Canada and other Allied countries landed on five sectors of Normandy beach.

Normandy – Cyril Crain (Juno veteran)
Come and stand in memory
Of men who fought and died
They gave their lives in Normandy
Remember them with pride.

Soldiers, Airman, sailors
Airborne and marines
Who in civvy life were tailors
and men who worked machines.

British and Canadian
And men from USA
Forces from the Commonwealth
They all were there that day
To Juno, Sword and Utah
Beaches of renown
Also Gold and Omaha
That’s where the ramps went down.

The battle raged in Normandy
Many lives were lost
The war must end in victory
And this must be the cost
When my life is over
And I reach the other side
I’ll meet my friends from Normandy
And shake their hands with pride.