Moray to Commemorate 80th Anniversary of D Day on 6 June 2024

Operation OVERLORD, the Allied Invasion of Europe which led to the defeat of Nazi Germany, started with the major amphibious landings on the coast of Normandy on 6 June 1944, known widely as D Day.

One of the first two British Divisions ashore on SWORD Beach was the 3^rd Division. It had trained around the Moray Firth beaches and in Findhorn Bay between December 1943 and March 1944 together with the warships and landing craft of Force S the Naval Task Force which would take the Division across the Channel.

A commemoration service will be held by the quays in Findhorn, by permission of The Royal Findhorn Yacht Club, to remember this momentous day and all of those who took part in this tremendous endeavour.

There will be participation from the Lieutenancy of Moray, Moray Council, 39 Engineer Regiment, RAF Lossiemouth, The Royal British Legion Scotland (Forres) Branch, Veterans’ associations and many others. The service will start at 11.30am by the quays on Thursday 6 June with everyone welcome to join.

Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, said: “I feel it is really important to commemorate this extraordinary day. Hundreds of thousands of sailors, soldiers and airmen were involved in deception plans, parachute landings, aircraft attacks, naval bombardments, and the dangerous, deadly business of getting ashore and fighting for a foothold in France whilst the enemy were determined to push them back into the sea. It’s a day to remember.”

Moray Council’s Civic Leader, Cllr John Cowe, added: “There were so many servicemen from Moray who took part on D Day including those in the 51st Highland Division who followed on from the 3rd Division. It is fascinating to learn about the effect on the local people who lived and worked in Moray under severe wartime restrictions to keep invasion plans secret as the 3^rd Division carried out their training”.

Further details of the service will be released nearer the time.