Second World War veteran from Cambridgeshire 'very lucky' to survive D-Day
Today marks 80 years since the D-Day landings took place
A D-Day veteran from Cambridgeshire has said he still feels lucky to be alive 80 years on.
More than 150,000 Allied troops launched a combined air, land and naval assault on Nazi-occupied France on this day in 1944.
Ed Kelly from St Ives joined the RAF in 1942 and left for Canada to train as a navigator, before joining 534 Squadron where he took part in anti-shipping operations.
He was tasked with stopping German enemy boats, known as E-boats, at the time of the D-Day landings.
"We knew nothing when D-Day was going to be, but it meant at the time of D-Day, we were making sure the E-boats didn't get involved in the navy that were taking troops across to the (Normandy) beaches," Ed said.
"The main challenge of course was that you were opened up to fire; sometimes you didn't even know about it, but I was very lucky."
What happened on D-Day?
The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, with the 1944 battle laying the foundation for an Allied victory.
Troops from the UK, the USA, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the beaches at Normandy in northern France on June 6th, 1944.
The D-Day landings were one of the most decisive military campaigns of the Second World War.
Marking D-Day
On Tuesday, a slew of former D-Day soldiers boarded a ferry to make the journey from Portsmouth to Normandy once again, retracing their steps 80 years ago.
Yesterday, tributes were paid in Normandy, where hundreds of allied defence personnel parachuted into a historic D-Day drop zone to commemorate the airborne invasion
Today - the 80th anniversary of D-Day - commemorations are taking place in Normandy from 7.25am, the same time the beach invasion began in 1944.
The official British commemoration for the 80th anniversary of D-Day will take place at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, where the King will join French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak.
The Prince of Wales will attend events in Normandy including a service hosted by Canada at Juno Beach and an international ceremony hosted by France at Omaha Beach which will be attended by more than 25 heads of state.
"Flying wasn't a hardship, it was a delight"
Ed, originally from the North East, served at multiple RAF bases in Cambridgeshire during his time with the force.
"Flying wasn't a hardship, it was a delight," he said.
"I was very fortunately I was able to go from one squadron to another; I did 7,200 hours airborne.
"56,000 were killed in Bomber Command and I consider myself very fortunate to come through unscathed.
"I had my near misses, but I look back and say I've had a charmed life because I survived."
What's happening locally to mark D-Day?
Various beacons will be lit across Cambridgeshire tonight in remembrance of those who fought.
Some of the events include:
- Huntingdon: At 10am, the Huntingdon in Bloom campaign will unveil their 3D themed floral display at Bus Station Green, this year featuring a D Day Landing craft made from recycled materials, with flowers and other features designed to replicate the beaches of Normandy.
A service will take place in the Market Square at 10.50am.
Residents are invited to Castle Hills at 9pm where a ceremony will begin at 9.10pm, followed by the lighting of the beacon by the Mayor of Huntingdon.
- Ely: A short service will take place at Ely's war memorial from 10.45am, where wreaths will be laid for those who sacrificed their lives.
A beacon will be lit in St Mary's Street at 8pm.
- March: The event at West End Park starts at 7.30pm, with music by March Brass 2000 and a parade including serving military personnel, veterans and cadets at 8.50pm.
An Act of Remembrance will take place at 9pm, followed by the lighting of the beacon to be lit by the Mayor of March at 9.15pm.
- Wisbech: A dedication service starts at 9pm, following by the lighting of the beacon at Wisbech Park at 9.15pm.
- Chatteris: A service at the town's war memorial takes place at 11am, before a proclamation at 9pm and the lighting of the beacon at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul at 9.15pm.