D-Day 80th anniversary torch arrives in Bath
The torch is touring the country on its way to Normandy
A D-Day anniversary torch arrived in Bath today, as it tours the country before heading across the Channel to France.
The Torch of Commemoration was lit by the Prime Minister last week as part of the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Events will take place across the UK and France to commemorate the allied troops involved in Operation Overlord on 6th June 1944.
Historians estimate that 4415 allied soldiers died on D-Day.
A ceremony at Bath Haycombe Cemetery saw the torch pass from Veteran Stan Ford to children from The Paragon School.
Stan Ford, 99, served in Normandy during the Second World War on board HMS Fratton.
His ship arrived on D-Day Plus One (7th June 1944) and escorted hospital ships carrying wounded soldiers back to the UK.
He spoke at the ceremony about the importance of remembering those who lost their lives in conflict and learning from the past.
“What you have experienced and seen today, my wish and my hope is that you will not forget it,” he said. “I hope you will remember the occasion and the reason for it.”
The event also featured speeches by Simon Bendry, Head of Education and Engagement at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), and Martha Desmond, Chief People Officer for CWGC.
Pupils from The Paragon School attended the ceremony, spoke with Stan Ford and made etchings of some of the headstones.
Emmy, one of the pupils from the school, said: “It was really nice to meet Stan, he’s an amazing person.
“And just to know that he’s the reason why you’re here right now is really beautiful.”
Max, another pupil, said it was important for them to learn about D-Day and remember those who fought as “all of these soldiers have put their lives at risk to save our country.”
Ceremonies like this are part of the CWGC’s Lighting Their Legacy programme.
They are hosting events across the country to build connections between veterans and young people.
This connection is symbolised by the Torch of Commemoration being passed from one generation to the next.
Richard Palusinski , Chairman of the Spirit of Normandy Trust, said events like these are important for passing on the legacy of the soldiers who fought.
“There is a story that needs to be told, and as Stan has said to the schoolchildren, if we don’t pass on the knowledge of the awfulness of war, the risk is they’ll go down the same track in years to come and history will simply repeat itself,” he said.
“We are in a position where some of the last of the veterans who can tell that first-hand story are with us, and this is a crucial time to pass that message on first-hand: there’s nothing quite like getting it from someone who was there.”
Former England rugby player Lewis Moody also attended the event. He said that being involved in remembrance events is important: “I try and impress on my own kids all the time how important it is to remember, not because of the glorification of war, more to learn the mistakes of the past and remember those individuals who did sacrifice so much.”
He added, “80 years feels like a very long period of time, but it also feels like a heartbeat. I think events like these are crucial for connecting the multiple generations.”
The Torch of Commemoration travels next to Newark-Upon-Trent (23rd May), Manchester (29th May), Egham (30th May) and Portsmouth (3rd June).
It will then sail to Normandy for more commemorations.