80-year anniversary

Today is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in WWII. Beacons have been lit all over the country at 21:15 hours to commemorate the bravery of those involved.

My father, in the RAF, was in command of a unit carrying a mobile radar station, driving off the ship over the Mulberry Harbours. So although he arrived on the shores of occupied France on D-Day, he was not among the first arrivals. He hardly ever mentioned the war or his involvement, until the very last weeks of his life, when he was clearly reliving some long-buried experiences and talked a lot to Mr PP. 

My only personal memory of his recollection of D-Day, on 6th June 1944, was his huge appreciation of the Salvation Army, who greeted forces personnel with a precious cup of tea. It still brings tears to my eyes. Those good people!

Introducing German to the syllabus of Brigg Grammar School where he taught, and building a long-lasting exchange scheme between his school and the Gymnasium (grammar school) in Pirmasens in the Palatinate was his post-war contribution to building bridges between Britain and Germany, two countries that should never have gone to war. 

Here is the beacon lit tonight in the village of Swayfield, Lincolnshire.