As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, families are reflecting on the stories of their loved ones who were present. Among those is Alice Farrow, who is commemorating the legacy of her Grandfather John Farrow, who served in the Royal Navy as Commander (E) in HMS Glasgow during the D-Day operation.
HMS Glasgow played a crucial role in the bombardment of Omaha beach, supporting the American infantry forces. Just before the 75th Anniversary of D-Day John’s first-hand account of what happened that day was found in his family’s records; an excerpt:
“We spent most of our time, with others, bombarding the so-called OMAHA beach and were hit by a shore battery. Although the upper deck was damaged, it did not prevent our guns being able to continue until we were withdrawn… I remember the sight of the artificial Mulberry Harbour was unbelievable. How they got all those huge caissons and old warships there from all our ports was incredible and a wonderful piece of organisation.”
Commander John Farrow OBE RN’s dedication alongside countless others, contributed to the success of this historic mission. His granddaughter, Alice said:
“I was so lucky to have grown up knowing my grandfather, he, like so many of his generation, never spoke about the war but after my father came back from serving in the Falklands they both reflected on their time in conflict, which has contributed to this important family archive.
“On D-Day my brother, father and I will be on Omaha beach at sunrise, remembering my Grandfather and all those incredibly brave service personnel who jumped into the sea, off those landing craft and changed the course of the war. We will remember them.”
Navy’s Principal Charity Honours D-Day Veterans, Capturing Tributes Made by Loved Ones
To honour the memory of those who served in the Armed Forces during the D-Day landings and the wider war effort, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) has created a special platform for people to share memories and photos of their loved ones.
RNRMC Chief Executive, Andrew Jameson said:
“We want the D-Day 80 Memorial to be a fitting tribute to those who bravely played their part in D-Day. It’s essential to remember the sacrifices made by these incredible individuals and ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations.”
Families and individuals who wish to pay tribute to their loved ones can visit https://rnrmc.memorypage.org/dday80 to create a special dedication on the D-Day 80 Memorial.
