Bolton service to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day Landings

A service will be held at Bolton Parish Church on June 6, starting at 8pm. A beacon will also be lit.

The Bolton Hoover Band and The Caledonia Pipe Band will also perform at the service.

Two wreaths will be laid during the service.

On the 6th June 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy in what would be the largest seaborne invasion in history, an event that would alter the outcome of the Second World War.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan said: “The 80th D-Day commemoration is important for honouring the sacrifices made, educating current and future generations and reflecting on the enduring values of peace and freedom our country continues to enjoy.

“Attending the commemoration shows support for the veterans and their families and acknowledging the enduring impact of their service.

“It really is important to express gratitude and support to those who continue to live with the memories and consequences of war, whether that be 80 years ago or current conflicts unfortunately ongoing around the world.”

Bolton remembers D-Day (Image: Bolton Council)Cllr Ryan Bamforth, Bolton Council’s Armed Forces Champion said: “It is an important day that we have to remember what people have gone through in the past and what they have sacrificed and what they put themselves through so we can live the life we live today.

“I raised it to the council earlier this year to find out if the council was doing anything and at which point the mayor’s office took charge of this.

“The senior officer for the mayor has organised the event and put all of this together and I think it is fitting as well that on D-Day 80 we have a veteran who is the Mayor of the Borough, Cllr Andy Morgan.

“I think people should attend to remember, as it is important we remember what people have gone through and we appreciate and respect what we have now.

“Anyone can attend this event, there will be servicemen attending as well as cadets also in attendance.”

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Cllr John Walsh, a member of the armed forces committee at Bolton Council and a volunteer at Bolton Parish Church said: “It is a very important day to remember because it was a turning point of the Second World War, obviously many men from Bolton were involved.

“We have two memorials at Bolton Parish Church to commemorate the veterans of the Normandy landings so there will be wreath laying on the night, one in the church and one in the churchyard.

“The town hall has asked for the beacon to be lit on the parish church tower and we are very pleased that is happening therefore it seems appropriate that we should have an act of worship and remembrance for those who served on D-Day.”

Refreshments will be served after the service in church.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.