Having discovered from family memorabilia that her late grandfather Larry Lawler had landed on Sword Beach at Hermanville-sur Mer on June 6, 1944, Harrogate resident Jan Gleaves has now visited Normandy three times, following the route late grandfather took that momentous day. A tram driver before the war, Larry joined the British Army as a tank driver in the Westminster Dragoons as the fightback began against Nazi Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Harrogate Advertiser, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Talking to Harrogate Advertiser columnist Dennis Richards, Jan said: “It’s a beautiful coastline in its own right but you cannot help being deeply moved by what took place here.” She is determined to pass on the story of how ordinary soldiers turned the course of the Second World War. “Larry survived, hundreds did not,” she said.
In the meantime, people across the Harrogate district are today marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Europe that brought the world freedom from tyranny. The anniversary events include: Harrogate In Harrogate, The Royal British Legion are set to hold a short dedication at the Harrogate War memorial in the town centre at 11am. Knaresborough Advertisement Advertisement Knaresborough has an entire day of events on June 6 to commemorate D Day.
Town Crier Mark Hunter is to join town criers around the world in reading the D Day 80 Proclamation at The M.