Beacons to be lit across Norfolk in commemoration of D-Day
Communities in Norfolk and throughout the country will be united in their different locations by this shared act of remembrance
On this date in 1944, the Allied forces deployed over 5,000 ships and over 150,000 troops to the beaches of Normandy, France.
The actions of those soldiers would eventually result in victory for the Allies in the Second World War, bringing an end to the Nazi occupation of much of Europe.
To commemorate the bravery of those involved in D-Day, beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom tonight at 9:45pm, with communities in Norfolk and throughout the country united in their different locations by this shared act of remembrance.
Pageantmaster Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, from Gorleston, has been involved in arranging the beacon lighting event: “It was so important that the whole nation celebrated this as a community, not just in two or three national events.
"I wanted to get right down into the heart of the community, because that's where those who fought and died for us came from. I was determined to make sure that we offered every community throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK overseas territories the opportunity of taking part in the event.”
Pageantmaster Peek organised a similar event using beacons for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
He tells us commemorating the actions and bravery of the soldiers who landed in Normandy is extremely important: “I think it's so important because a lot of people, and I'm one of the worst, take it for granted, we forget the real sacrifice.
"Remembrance Sunday is great, but it's not just Remembrance Sunday, we must never forget the sacrifice made by so many on very many different dates."
Pageantmaster Peek is keen to use the opportunity to remember not only the D-Day soldiers, but also the many other people who played their part.
These include the fisherman, farmers and land girls who continued working tirelessly throughout the conflict to keep the nation fed.
In recognition of their contributions, fish and chips will be eaten, flags will be raised and church bells will be rung as part of the commemoration.
Aswell as reflecting on the past, Pageantmaster Peek is keen to use the beacon lighting to send a message about the future: “The biggest problem we’ve got is that we don't remember. The world is still at war.
"What's going on at the moment is absolutely frightening. I think it's so important that people take part in these commemorations to help push the word of peace to the forefront.
"This is local people saying to politicians ‘we're the people on the ground, we’re the people who have to fight these wars. Please stop taking us to war.”
The beacon lightings will take place tonight at 9:45pm at over 30 locations across Norfolk.