A poignant service and reception to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings will take place in Edinburgh on Thursday (6 June). The event has been organised by Armed Forces charity Legion Scotland and The French Consulate General.
Taking place at The French Consulate in the heart of the nation’s capital, the event will be attended by around 15 D-Day veterans, serving personnel, various dignitaries and Graeme Dey, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans.
During the service, the Knight of the Légion d’Honneur Cross will be presented on behalf of the President of the French Republic by the Consul General of France to the veterans who served on D-Day and were part of the subsequent liberation of France. Since June 2014, more than 5,800 medals have been awarded.
Veteran Richard John William Honour, who was deployed to Normandy 6 August 1944 before advancing through France and Belgium, will do a reading at the service which will be conducted by the Reverend Dr Karen K Campbell, the National Padre of Legion Scotland. Music will be provided Legion Scotland signing sweetheart Amy Hawthorn along with performances by the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland and CCF pupils from Edinburgh Academy.
D-Day on the 6 June 1944 was the largest amphibious invasion in history and is a pivotal date in the story of the Second World War. Codenamed ‘Overlord’, the operation saw a massive military force set out from the UK towards France. By this point in the conflict, Germany had taken over nearly the whole of Europe. The Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy and started to break through German defences. They began an attack that lasted for almost a year and took them all the way to the German capital Berlin and victory.
Notes to Editors
- For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact David A. Findlay, PR Manager at Legion Scotland, on 079797 35611, or email at d.findlay@poppyscotland.org.uk.
- The official Legion Scotland photographer will take pictures during this service which is closed to media photographers.
- Legion Scotland is the daily use name of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the largest ex-service membership charity in Scotland working at the heart of the community supporting veterans of all ages and from all conflicts. With nearly 165 branches, 65 clubs and more than 30,000 members, Legion Scotland, working in partnership with other organisations, provides veterans in the community with three key services covering remembrance, comradeship and befriending whilst supporting the welfare services and fundraising initiatives of Poppyscotland. Contact Legion Scotland at New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4HQ, or telephone 0131 550 1586. For more information on Legion Scotland’s work, please visit: www.legionscotland.org.uk.
