This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, better known as D-Day.
Much has been said this year about securing the legacy of those who fought in the Normandy campaign, as those who did are now few in numbers.
When I started organising the Remembrance Parade and Armistice Day services for the town (of Royston) some 28 years ago, the generation of men and women who fought and served in the Second World War were much greater in numbers than now.
I have been privileged to have made many trips to Normandy with the veterans who took part in Operation Overlord (D-Day) as well as veterans who fought in all the other theatres of World War Two; sadly, those who I knew and spent much time with, have now passed away.
The one thing they all said to me during our many conversations was that they were concerned that what happened during that period of our Nations’ history would be forgotten, or become less important in people’s minds as time went on. Indeed, what happened during that time should be of greater or equal importance as time goes by, as we will, in time, lose that living link with those who fought in the most costly war in history!
The legacy they have left us with is all around us in the freedom and liberty we enjoy each day and probably don’t think about in the day-to-day activities of our lives. Education is key to teaching the lessons of what happened in the world wars and how that relates to the world we live in today. Remembrance is of course to remember all those who have served and died in the service of their country, we also remember those who returned but for whom life would never be the same again.
Our freedom comes at a price which we should never take for granted.
LEST WE FORGET
Please support the Remembrance Sunday parade and service. Many months of preparation go into organising the Remembrance Sunday parade and service in Royston, and the closing of the roads now costs several thousand pounds; we would particularly encourage and welcome the ex-services community to come and join the parade.
If you wish to march, please be at the top of Queens Road (by the Morrison shop) for 10am on Sunday 10th November.
Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service – Sunday 10th November 2024
• Those wishing to participate in the parade to arrive in Queens Road at 10am
• The parade will step off from Queens Road at 10.25am
• The parade will arrive at the War Memorial in Melbourn Street at 10.35am
• The Service of Remembrance will commence at 10.40am
Armistice Day – Monday 11th November 2024
• The Service at the War Memorial on Melbourn Street will commence at 10.50hrs
• Followed by a service at the 91st Bomb Group Memorial in the Priory Memorial Gardens
The Men of Royston Memorial panels display will again be placed on the War Memorial between Friday 1st November and Friday 15th November
Chris Murphy – Organiser – Royston Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday
