Director of Cleethorpes Armed Forces Reflects on Unforgettable D-Day Trip to Normandy

The Director of Cleethorpes Armed forces team who has recently got back from a trip to Normandy says D Day is a time no one will forget.

This week we’ll be remembering the D Day landings that took place 80 years ago on 6 June 1944 during World War Two and marked the start of the campaign to free north-west Europe from the Nazis.

It’s the biggest invasion by sea in history.

Chris Shaw who is the Director of the Armed Forces Major Events Team in North East Lincolnshire took veterans from across the region to France last week to replace some memorials ahead of the big day, he said:

“In total there was around 150 of us. We re-dedicated five plaques because our plaques were getting a bit old and we wanted to make sure our legacy lived on.

“I was an eighteen year old soldier myself in Northern Ireland, that was scary enough for me to actually get off a landing craft in bales of fire would not of been something I’d liked to have done.”

Chris's regiment were the first armoured amphibious regiment to land at swords beach – they launched in their Sherman DD tanks from 5000 yards out.

A moment of reflection will take place on the steps of Grimsby Town Hall at 10:00 am on the morning of Thursday 6th June.

The Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire Cllr Steve Beasant will be hosting a Civic Service of Commemoration at St Marys on the Sea Church, Heneage Road, Grimsby. The service will be starting at 6pm with Vice Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Clarke and Assistant Naval Regional Commander, Lt Jon Aylett, will also in attendance. Public are more than welcome to attend the service and are asked to be seated by 5:50 pm.

There will also be a display of work from the children of St Mary’s School on display within the Church. The Armed Forces Events Management Team are also lighting a beacon at 9.15pm on 6 June at The Knoll, Cleethorpes, to commemorate the event with other activities.