Veterans pay last tribute to fallen friends
Around 30 members of the Normandy Veterans Association travelled to London's Westminster Abbey yesterday for a service to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Over the last six decades many members have passed away or fallen ill, so this is the last time the veterans will travel together to pay their respects to the 10,000 allied troops who died in Normandy in June 1944.
Veteran Kenneth Wright, from Werrington Road, Bucknall, served in the 51st Highland Division. He lost his brother on D-Day.
The 83-year-old said: "I went out to Normandy with my two brothers but only two of the three of us made it back. We were all very young, I was just 18, it's very difficult to talk about it.
"Of all the services this one is especially important to me. I go out to my brother's grave in France every year. I will keep on going for as long as I possibly can."
Ken Adams, from Leacroft Road, Meir, was in the 45 Royal Marine Commandos and belonged to the Special Service Brigade at Normandy.
His regiment was the only one with a piper, who played as his comrades fell.
The 86-year-old said: "I remember our landing at Sword Beach on D-Day, I remember landing and having to make our way up to the Pegasus Bridge.
"Our commander was Lord Lovat. I'll never forget him grabbing our piper Bill Millin and telling him he was a very good soldier but a horrible piper."
Veteran Robert Browe, from Smallthorne, joined the Royal Navy as a teenager in 1943 and was just 19 when he waded ashore at Normandy.
Now 84, Mr Browe said: "These meetings are important for us to pay our respects, but also for us to stay in touch. It's a great shame for it to end.
"I think the association will continue, only it will have a different name."
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