Wisborough Green War Memorial

To mark the 70th Anniversary of D Day, I decided to photograph the War Memorial at Wisborough Green.

I chose this particular memorial as Wisborough Green has an important connection with the events leading up to D Day. This memorial was erected to the memory of those who fought in the First World War, but is also a focus for those who lost their lives in the Second World War.

In August 1942, a raid was launched on Dieppe by mainly Canadian and some British troops to test out the enemy defences and to try to capture the port of Dieppe. This raid was planned at Hawkhurst Court, a large house in the parish of Wisborough Green. The raid was a failure and many troops were killed and captured by the Germans. However, many lessons were learned and the Allied Commanders now knew what needed to be done if a Western Front was to be opened onto Hitler's "Fortress Europe". The Allies knew that they would need to carefully plan an invasion which needed surprise and deception of the enemy. They would not be able to capture any port intact and a site to land would need to be carefully thought out among many many other factors.

As a result of this raid planned in this quiet corner of Sussex, careful and meticulous preparations were then made for the successful liberation of all Europe from Nazi tyranny. To all the men who served, returned and who did not return we must never forget them and without them we would not be enjoying the peace and freedom that we have today.