D-Day 80th anniversary parade planned for Wrexham city centre

A parade will take place through the city centre this summer to commemorate the 80-year anniversary of the D-Day landings.

6 June 1944, marked the beginning of Operation Overlord, the largest air, naval and land operation in history.

Over 150,000 troops crossed the English Channel on D-Day alone.

It was the first step in the liberation of France and Western Europe, but the Allied Forces suffered heavy losses with almost 210,000 casualties by the end of Operation Overlord.

80 years on members of the public are being invited to commemorate those who fought and those who lost their lives on the beaches in Normandy. Those who left their families at home to defend freedom and bring peace, remembering their sacrifices and bravery that secured the liberty that we enjoy today.

A parade through Wrexham city centre led by the Corps of Drums and Standard Bearers, Mayor, Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Beverley Parry Jones and members of the armed forces community, will take place on Thursday 6 June.

The parade will leave St Giles Church at 1.15 pm and march to the Normandy Veterans’ Memorial, Bodhyfryd, where a short service to lay wreaths will take place.

The D-Day parade will leave St Giles on to Church Street across High Street into Hope Street, along Queens Street on to Lambpit Street and left on to Chester Street.

During the event there will be eyes right at the podium outside Crown Buildings where the Mayor, Lord Lieutenant and Forces Champion will take the salute.

The parade will then march on to the Normandy Veterans Memorial where Wrexham Salvation army band will be playing.

There will be a short service led by Father Dylan Parry-Jones followed by laying of wreaths.

Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Beverley Parry Jones, said: “Wrexham has strong links with the armed forces and this is our opportunity to pay tribute to casualties of the largest amphibious invasion in history.

“I hope many will join with us as we gather to pay our respects to those who fought bravely and to those who lost their lives, for the freedoms we enjoy today.”