A short service will be held at Clacton War Memorial on Tuesday (6 June) to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

D-Day, on 6 June 1944, saw Allied troops commence a large-scale invasion of France to take back Western Europe from Nazi German control. Combined with efforts in Italy and on the Eastern Front, the Second World War in Europe was brought to an end less than a year later.

A service organised by the Clacton Royal British Legion and supported by Tendring District Council (TDC) will commemorate the anniversary at the seafront gardens’ war memorial from 11am.

The service will include Royal British Legion standards and a reading by TDC Chairman Gary Scott. Members of the public are invited to attend the occasion.

Cllr Scott said it was fitting to commemorate the event, adding: “D-Day was not only a key turning point in the course of the Second World War in Europe, but also demonstrated a united and co-ordinated response to the aggressive actions of a despot leader on the continent.

“It is right to commemorate this, and the sacrifice made by so many on that crucial day, and I would invite members of the public join us for the service.”

Cllr Dan Casey, President of the Clacton Royal British Legion branch and TDC Vice-Chairman, added: “As we in Tendring face Europe across the North Sea it is particularly relevant for us to mark the anniversary of D-Day in this way.”

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