Rochdale marks 80th anniversary of D-Day

Date published: 07 June 2024

Veterans gathered at Rochdale Cenotaph on Thursday (6 June) to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

On Tuesday 6 June 1944, during World War II, more than 156,000 men landed in Normandy on D-Day. 83,000 of these were from Britain and the Commonwealth.

To pay tributes to the fallen of the Allied invasion of Normandy – the largest seaborne invasion in history – a service was held in Rochdale Memorial Gardens, attended by the Mayor of Rochdale, councillor Shakil Ahmed; Wing Commander David Forbes, president of the Rochdale British Legion; students from local schools and colleges; local councillors; Greater Manchester Police; Deputy Lieutenant, Louise Scott and council leader, Neil Emmott.

Remembering those who landed on the beaches 80 years ago to liberate France and Europe from Nazi control, poems were read, prayers were given, and wreaths were laid for those who died in the Summer of 1944.

‘For The Fallen’ was read:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Last Post played as attendees gave a moment of silence, followed by a performance of the Reveille.

Wing Commander Forbes then said The Kohima Epitaph – ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today’.

Wreaths were laid by dignitaries and the public on Rochdale Cenotaph.