Hampshire veterans to receive Normandy badges

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Normandy veterans from Hampshire are to be presented with commemorative badges at a special ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon.

The ceremony, which will take place at Portsmouth Guildhall, is to honour veterans of Allied forces who saw action in France on D-Day and during the subsequent Battle of Normandy.

More than 6,000 veterans collected badges during the 60th anniversary commemorations in Normandy in June this year, and this ceremony is for those who were unable to travel to France.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Jason Fazackarley, will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan, and Admiral Christian Brac de la Perriere, President of the Normandie Memoir 60th Anniversary Association, to present the badges.

Cllr Fazackarley said: “I am delighted to be hosting this event, which will recognise the incredible sacrifice made by these men, and remember their comrades who didn’t come home.”

Admiral Christian Brac de la Perriere added: “It will be a token of our gratitude towards all these men who came and risked their lives in order to liberate Normandy and who enjoy the undying friendship of all Normandy people.”

The Lower Normandy Regional Council has provided the badges for the veterans.

Military VIPs, representatives of the President of the Lower Normandy Regional Council, and civic leaders from Portsmouth and Hampshire will also attend.

Navy News