NI beacons mark D-Day 80th anniversary
Army Cadets, Sea Cadets and Air Training Corps attended
Last updated 7th Jun 2024
The skies across the UK were lit-up by hundreds of D-Day remembrance beacons last night (Thursday) to recognise the anniversary and commemorate the heroism and sacrifices of those involved in the Normandy invasion.
Commemorations marked 80 years since the Normandy landings which marked the start of a campaign which led to the Allies winning the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Overlord, around 4,000 ships and landing craft set down about 132,500 Allied troops on five Normandy beaches, in what remains the largest amphibious invasion in history.
Several emotional tribes and acts of remembrance have been paid this week including last night’s beacon lighting at Portrush East Strand.
It mirrored events happening in communities across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Air Training Corps, along with members of the Royal British Legion and other veteran organisations attended.
A number of World War II vehicles were also on display.
The proceedings started with a performance by the Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps. It was followed by a short ceremony led by Rev Dr JI Thompson, President of the RBL Group 10, who read an International Tribute.
The Portrush beacon was set a-light by County Antrim Deputy Lord Lieutenant Stephen Bailie.
Ian Davidson attended the event in remembrance of the veterans in his family, including his uncle Rankin Dickie who landed on Sword beach on day-one of the advance.
He said: “Rankin at the age of 32 joined the Royal Ulster Rifles in 1943 and subsequently he landed at Sword beach on the 6th of June 1944 along with the rest of his battalion.
“Rankin made if off the beach on day one but by day two he was severely injured and had to be evacuated back to one of the emergency hospitals in Scotland.
“When he recovered, he was assessed as not being fit enough for active service and he therefore was placed in the Royal Pioneer Corps for behind the lines.
“To remember the guys who went to extraordinary lengths to fight for our freedom on the beaches.
“It was a big, big undertaking because you were invading a country against a well-armed and experienced foe.
“A lot of these lads were 19, 20 years of ages and a lot was expected of them, they’d never been to war before.
“For them to do what they did, they should be remember and we should ensure our children and our grandchildren remember as well.
“To stand and tell his story and mention his name I couldn't be prouder.”
Mr Davidson said he comes from a family of veterans and at the lighting of the beacon he remembered them as well.
He added: “I had more than one relative, I had two other uncles and an aunt who all served in the Royal Air Force and it’s to remember them as well.”
The evening ended with the National Anthem being played by the 152 RLC Pipes and Drums.
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