Cheshire heroes of D-Day leave for the 65th anniversary commemorations of their famous victory

Jun 4 2009 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

Heroes of D-Day leave for the 65th anniversary commemorations of their famous victory

NORMANDY veterans who had feared they would never see the scene of their famous victory again have boarded buses to France.

Among a travelling party of 84 are 41 veterans, including seven from Chester, five members of Cheshire Yeomanry and helpers and carers. They all boarded a coach and three minibuses yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

Two wealthy benefactors stepped forward after hearing they had been refused money from the Ministry of Defence who said they would only offer financial support for the 100th anniversary.

TV cameras from the BBC and Granada were on hand at Whitby Sports and Social Club to see the troop of pensioners off.

Secretary of the Wirral and Chester branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, Yvette Innes said: “They’re over the moon. They can’t believe it.

“Most of them have realised this will be the last time that they go.

“We are the only active branch in the area so we’ve been trying to get as many veterans as we can from this area to go.”

Only in March – when much of the money had already been raised – did the government say they would offer support so that all veterans could attend.

Veterans from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Liverpool, Warrington, Widnes and elsewhere all set off together in the largest single group to leave our shores.

They will head to Carey’s Manor in the New Forest for an overnight stay to break up the journey. They will then pay a visit to the D-Day museum in Portsmouth.

On the way back they will rest in the Premier Inn in Portsmouth.

Comedian Eddie Izzard gave £100,000 to the appeal while millionaire tycoon Martin Ainscough and Cokebusters followed with donations of their own.