Earby’s 80th D-Day Commemoration
Members of Earby Town Council, the Royal British Legion, the Rev. Hugh Fielden, and the public came together on Thursday evening on the village green to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in what was an emotional tribute for many of those present.
Published: 7 June 2024
On Thursday 6th June 2024, the Chair of Earby Town Council, Councillor Tom Hardman, welcomed those gathered on the village green at Aspen Lane and introduced proceedings as Earby paid tribute to the men and women involved in the D-Day. Earby Brass Band played a selection of World War II songs on arrival and at the conclusion of proceedings.
Cadet Company Sergeant Major Marcus Lilley read The Proclamation, followed by prayers read by the Rev. Hugh Fielden, of All Saints, Earby and St Mary’s, Kelbrook and Chaplain to the Barnoldswick and District Royal British Legion.
Captain Adrian Lilley (ACF), Chair of the local Royal British Legion, read the Exhortation which was followed by two minutes silence and the Kohima Epitaph.
Councillor Hardman then read the National Tribute, followed at 9.15pm, by Cadet Company Sergeant Major Marcus Lilley lighting a beacon to coincide with beacons being lit across the Country, Commonwealth and Europe.
The evening before, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Marcus Lilley had accompanied 100-year-old veteran Richard Brock from Lancaster, and formerly of the East Lancashire Regiment, to the Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy for the international commemoration.
Earby Town Councillor, Mrs Vera Cocker, who had been instrumental in arranging the evening said “It has been an emotional few days, commencing with the flag raising event on Saturday. I’m proud to have been involved this evening, remembering the sacrifice the men and women involved in D-Day made for us all. Earby will always remember and be grateful”.
Also pictured are Mr Nat Artingstall, Secretary of the local RBL, formally of The Merchant Navy and veteran of the Gulf War and Mr Callum Hird, Standard Bearer and Vice Chair of the local RBL.