Brave D-Day veterans were thanked for “saving the world” 80 years ago during the bloodiest battle in history. On the anniversary of D-Day, the King and Queen arrived at the British Normandy Memorial on Thursday to stand side-by-side with the heroes. For many of the 41 ageing veterans who crossed the English Channel, it will be the final time.
After arriving King Charles immediately saluted the D-Day heroes who he said “did not flinch” when faced with the “supreme test”. The veterans, the eldest having turned 103 the day before, struggled to their feet, some leaving their wheelchairs to show him their respect. But it was their stories that needed the respect and their stories that left the royals wiping away tears as they heard how the Allied armies had saved civilians from a life of “horror and terror”.
The 2,000 who had attended the service of commemoration gave Arthur Oborne, 100, a standing ovation after hearing his horrifying experience. He bravely took centre stage at the Normandy memorial in France and had everyone in floods of tears. With his voice trembling with age Arthur, 100, from Portishead in Somerset, told how his friend ‘Gummy’ had saved his life.
He told how he’d landed at Gold Beach just 500 yards away from where everyone was sitting. But back then, the beautiful surroundings of today, were hell. The sand was covered in blood and the sky black with planes and bombs.
Arthur survived the D-Day landings but three days later he was shot in t.
