The D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on June 6 in 1944 were a turning point in the Second World War, with more than 155,000 troops – the majority from the UK, the US and Canada but with support from countries including France and Poland – playing their part in the largest seaborne invasion in history.
Their bravery and sacrifice was marked today in Leeds with a wreath-laying service at the war memorial in Victoria Gardens in the city centre.
The service was led by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, alongside Ed Anderson CBE (HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire) and Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL (High Sheriff of West Yorkshire).
Civic buildings were lit up red, white and blue to mark the anniversary, and an illuminated D-Day motif – made by the council’s Leeds Lights team – will be on display in Victoria Gardens throughout the month of June.
Pictures from the day can be viewed in the gallery below:
13. Speeches
A speech was delivered by Ed Anderson CBE (HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire) | National World
14. Lord Mayor of Leeds
Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, delivering a speech during the service. | National World Photo: National World
15. Normandy
Allied forces landed in Normandy to liberate Europe from the Nazis on June 6 1944 | National World Photo: National World
16. 'Regular people'
Speaking about his experience with D-Day veterans, Cllr Simon Brown, from Morley, previously said: "We put them on a pedestal but they went to schools we went to and lived in our communities. They were regular, normal people doing something extraordinary.” | National World
17. Thank you
“It’s important to say thank you 80 years on and remember the stories and pray that we never have to send our men and women to do that again.” | National World