D-Day remembered across the borough. Memorable moments on film and in pictures
By Nub News Reporter
7th Jun 2024 | Local News
A series of events took place across the borough as Thurrock commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, 6 June.
The day began with a proclamation in Bulphan, where Town Crier Dave Gulvin dramatically rang his bell in a symbolic reenactment of news from the Normandy beaches.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Kairen Raper, was joined by veterans as she raised a commemorative flag at the Civic Offices in Grays at 10am and together with other civic dignitaries attended a remembrance service at the Grays war memorial.
The service was organised by Grays Thurrock Branch of the Royal British Legion and led by their chairman, Rod Oakley. Reverend David Peterson supported the service with several prayers.
Among those present were two veterans of the Second World War, Jim Gooding (who laid a wreath on behalf of the RAF Association) and David Wells.
There was also a special event at the London International Cruise Terminal at the Port of Tilbury which included heritage displays featuring items and memories from 1944, a live singer performing the stirring hit songs that would have been heard by our troops and that helped to keep the home fires burning here in the UK.
A specially decorated bus, which was the result of a collaboration between Ensign Buses and Start Thurrock, took residents from sheltered accommodation to the event. The bus was adorned with artwork created by Jessica, Naomi and Lily, the winners of Thurrock Museum's recent D-Day art competition.
Later, beacons were lit in Bulphan, at Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury, Grays Riverside and at Purfleet-on-Thames.
On Saturday (8 June) at 6pm, the Royal British Legion will unveil the refurbished war memorial at Faymore Gardens in South Ockendon.
Video memories from D-Day in Thurrock
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