D-Day 80: Hundreds gather at Greenham Common Control Tower for D-Day 80th commemorations at the site where General Eisenhower waved off the troops in 1944
Moving tributes were paid to World War II veterans during the D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration service at Greenham Common control tower, writes Michael Park.
Hundreds turned out for the 11am service last Thursday (June 6) at the former RAF and USAAF base to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for our freedom.
People were even turned away as the site reached full capacity for the commemoration.
Newbury D-Day veteran Mary Cholwill, who celebrated becoming a centenarian last month, was in attendance.
Mrs Cholwill has fond memories of her time during the war.
“I remember going to Aldermaston House in Berkshire where there was a training school for the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), and remember going there and parading, I liked it all actually,” she told Newburytoday.
She enlisted in the ATS in November 1941 and was dispatched all over the country at just 17 years old, serving in the 2nd Search Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, operating plotting boards and telephones, and coordinating anti-aircraft artillery fire.
The Newbury veteran was very modest when reflecting on the day’s commemorations.
“I was just an ordinary ATS, ordinary woman in civilian life,” she added. “Having this on is a great privilege.
“It’s all very exciting [being here today].”
Proceedings began with the reading of poems from students at Kennet School, followed by a reading of the Lord’s Prayer and a rendition of ‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’.
The Last Post was also played followed by two minutes of silence, and then the laying of wreaths by groups including the Royal British Legion, the Royal Artillery Association, and Greenham Parish Council.
Both the UK and US national anthems then preceded the final blessing.
However, the planned Lancaster bomber flypast was cancelled following the recent death of RAF Sqn Ldr Mark Long in a Spitfire crash.
The evening service saw a more jovial mood, with music and dancing, followed by the lighting up of the tower at sunset to end the day.
RAF Greenham Common played a crucial role in D-Day operations, with the first airborne US troops to land in Normandy departing from the airfield, led by the iconic That’s All, Brother Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
On the eve of D-Day General Eisenhower also travelled to Greenham Common to address the troops.
He gave his now-famous “the eyes of the world are upon you” speech from Greenham Lodge and watched 81 Dakotas take off at 11 second intervals to lead the invasion of Normandy.
Elliotts of Newbury, furniture makers during peacetime, were part of the production of gliders – more than 400 Horsa gliders were assembled at the Crookham end of Greenham Common.
Helping to bring history to life, a specially curated exhibition was on display at the tower. It will remain there until August 29.
