Page 18 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 122 - June 2024 - PDF Format

The following day was the big event on the Common which we didn’t attend as it
would have been too much for Mum, but we watched the BBC coverage and waved to the
Dakotas and Red Arrows as they flew over our house. We then tuned in for the beautiful and
poignant ceremony from the Commonwealth War Graves Bayeux attended by the Princess
Royal, in the evening - many tissues were required!
As we looked out across Langstone Harbour from the house, where a single piece of
Mulberry Harbour caisson still sits in the water, we reflected that 80 years ago, a huge fleet
was about to slip moorings and head out into the English Channel on its fateful journey and
we cried for the many young lives given willingly to free Europe from Hitler’s tyranny. Per-
sonally, I’m not convinced that most of modern society really understands the scale of their
sacrifice.
On 6th June, we watched as the BBC covered the ceremonies at both the British and
US cemeteries, by Gold and Omaha beaches, respectively. More tissues!!!

I was so proud to see Christian Lamb, ex-Wren receiving her Legion d’Honneur from
President Macron, with grace and humility. What a moment for her family.

Later in the day - Portsmouth, like many places up and down the country, lit what
was the Principal Beacon for the occasion. Another proud moment for everyone.
All of the WWII Veterans I have met in the last 40+ years, from parading in Ypres to
last week’s various events have been humble, self-effacing and to a man/woman, some of
the sharpest, most alive people I have ever had the honour to meet. Such an inspiration and
I am not sure we will ever see their like again.

After taking Mum back to Yeovil, the week was topped off on Saturday, with the ra-
ther marvellous D-Day Revival at Southwick (where much of the D-Day plan was worked
out). The whole village turns out for this annual event - the costumes, the vehicles, the
food, the decorated properties, the cadets, what’s not to like? There was even a mini field-
gun run from the cadets which of course I loved!

This was our first visit and next year we’ve promised to dress up! After a lovely few
hours up there with friends and a visit to both pubs - The Red Lion and The Golden Lion -
well it would have been rude not to - we caught the train back down onto the island and
headed for the Castle with its very impressive, newly opened sea defences and walkway -
where we watched one of the best Red Arrows displays I have ever seen. It was part of the
Armed Forces Day on Southsea Common, which this year was moved, date wise, to coincide
with all the D-Day activities.

What a finale to an incredible week.

I love living by the sea, I love being in Portsmouth and
I could not be prouder of how my newly adopted city rose to
such an auspicious occasion.

It was magnificent.

I am so proud to have served my country in my own
unremarkable way and I am very happy to be British. My maternal grandfather's
miniature book of prayer is-
sued to him when he was an
RAF ambulance driver during
Sue Dewey, OBE WWII.