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Let us Remember Them
Standing on the shore at Stokes Bay, it’s hard to imagine that 65 years ago thousands of British and
Canadian servicemen were crashing across the shingle to board ships on their way to Normandy,
France.
The Normandy Landings or D-Day commenced on June 6, 1944. It was the first operation of the Allied
invasion of Normandy, during World War l l, and the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time,
with 160,000 troops landing on June 6, 1944.
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day, Gosport Borough Council is inviting veterans, family
members and members of the public to return to the beach and join in a short Service of Remembrance.
This will be held at 11am on Saturday 6 June at Stokes Bay. It will take place at the Canadian Memorial
(opposite Pebble Beach Café) which was built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of D-Day and
which acknowledges the great number of Canadian troops who embarked at Gosport.
“Our aim is to remember and give thanks for all those brave men and boys, many who set sail from our shores
right here at Gosport,” said the Mayor, Councillor Diane Searle. “We wish to remember them all, those who
returned safely and those who were not so fortunate and paid the highest price of all, leaving behind many
grieving families.”
Many of Gosport’s older residents vividly recall tanks queuing through the town, all waiting patiently to
reach their final embarkation point and their crossing to Normandy. Stokes Bay and its gently shelving
beach provided the ideal spot for embarkation and so played a vitally important role.
“On a cold wet and windy June day, men boarded ships without a second thought, never knowing if
they would see England or their families again,” added the Mayor.
“We hope that any surviving veterans, or family members of those lost will join us and the public in
remembering those heroic men who fought so bravely that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.”
Canadian servicemen were crashing across the shingle to board ships on their way to Normandy,
France.
The Normandy Landings or D-
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-
This will be held at 11am on Saturday 6 June at Stokes Bay. It will take place at the Canadian Memorial
(opposite Pebble Beach Café) which was built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of D-
“Our aim is to remember and give thanks for all those brave men and boys, many who set sail from our shores
right here at Gosport,” said the Mayor, Councillor Diane Searle. “We wish to remember them all, those who
returned safely and those who were not so fortunate and paid the highest price of all, leaving behind many
grieving families.”
Many of Gosport’s older residents vividly recall tanks queuing through the town, all waiting patiently to
reach their final embarkation point and their crossing to Normandy. Stokes Bay and its gently shelving
beach provided the ideal spot for embarkation and so played a vitally important role.
“On a cold wet and windy June day, men boarded ships without a second thought, never knowing if
they would see England or their families again,” added the Mayor.
“We hope that any surviving veterans, or family members of those lost will join us and the public in
remembering those heroic men who fought so bravely that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.”