75 years ago today (June 6) British and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy to begin the liberation of France and the advance into Germany that was, a year later, to end the Second World War.
On the initiative of the Town Crier, Paul Goring, supported by President of Rye Royal British Legion, Colonel Anthony Kimber, Paul devised a special D-Day 75 cry. His cry, at the Town Hall and the Town Memorial, included a brief summary of the liberation of Normandy on June 6 1944 and the relevance to Rye: Combined Operation preparations at HMS Haig (now the former Freda Gardham school) and at Rye Harbour (hence Admiralty Quay, the name given to the quay by the Harbour Master’s office); involvement with Mulberry Harbour support; HMS Rye minesweeping and wooden shipbuilding for the Admiralty in Rock Channel.
The cry was well received by those assembled – visitors and residents alike, in both places.
Editor’s note: Paul Goring’s cry was as follows:
Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!
Be it known – this day is the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
On June the 6th, 1944, allied forces landed 7,000 naval vessels, 18,000 paratroopers, 10,000 vehicles and 135,000 ground troops on the coast of Nazi-occupied Normandy. It was the largest military operation in History.
Rye played its part – landing craft rehearsed at Rye Harbour and naval ratings trained at the ‘stone Frigate’, HMS Haig , on New Road.
The D-Day landings led to the liberation of Europe from the evils of Nazi occupation and turned the tide of the second world war. Over 4,400 allied troops died on that day.
We owe them our freedom. May their heroism and sacrifice never be forgotten.
God bless Old England and the “Ancient Town” of Rye and may God Save The Queen!
Image Credits: Paul Whiteman .