Events commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings are taking place across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today, Thursday June 6.
The BCP area played a pivotal role in the D-Day landings – the campaign to liberate Europe and defeat Nazi Germany, with Allied forces launching a combined naval, air and land assault on 6 June 1944.
In the months leading up to the landings, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Dwight D Eisenhower and Britain’s Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, Ground Forces Commander in Chief, met at The Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth to discuss strategic battle plans whilst visiting troops stationed nearby.
Christchurch was also significant in the war efforts, with the United States Army Air Forces Ninth Air Force establishing a base there in 1944.
In Poole, local companies were instrumental in supplying boats and associated materials needed for the D-Day war efforts.
The town was the third largest embarkation point for the Normandy landings with thousands of troops setting sail from the harbour, bound for the beaches of Normandy on 5 June 1944.
Bournemouth and Poole’s Charter Trustees have worked with BCP Council to honour local efforts with events today in Bournemouth and Poole, while a further event will be held in Bournemouth on Saturday, June 8, to mark the momentous occasion.
Christchurch Town Council is planning an event at Christchurch Quay tonight.
Bournemouth
Thursday 6 June 2024:
11am – Wreath laying at the War Memorial
9pm – Tribute from the new Mayor of Bournemouth at the Beacon Lighting
9.15pm – Beacon Lighting at the Jon Egging Memorial
Saturday 8 June
3 – 8pm – Vintage entertainment in the bandstand in the Lower Gardens
5.30 – 6pm – Procession from Westcliff Gardens to the bandstand
6.15 – 6.25pm – Speech from the Mayor of Bournemouth and Chaplain
Poole
Thursday 6 June
10.15 – 11.15am – Royal British Legion event with the new Mayor of Poole in attendance. Events including laying a wreath at the Dolphin Quay Plaque
5.30 – 8.30pm – Vintage entertainment & poetry reading from local schoolchildren on a stage opposite the Poole Arms. Vintage military vehicles (TBC)
5 – 7pm – St James’ Church provides a place for reflection and shows a video detailing Poole’s involvement with D-Day
8.30 – 9.15pm – A flotilla of local professional vessels led by Poole Harbour Commissioners – please watch this from Poole Quay and not other vessels on the water
9pm – Sea Cadets March from Baiter Park to the Beacon lighting arriving at 9pm
9.15pm– Beacon Lighting near the stage opposite the Poole Arms
NB: 10.00am – 11.30am Road Closure on the Quay
Christchurch
Thursday 6 June
6 – 10pm – Event by Christchurch Town Council featuring live music, local food, fun fair rides, face painting and a ‘history hub’ curated by local historians.
6pm – Town Crier’s proclamation from the King
6.30pm – Church bells ‘Ringing out for Peace’
9.15pm – Scouts light the Jubilee Beacon