Tributes paid to D-Day veteran Cecil Newton at Albourne 80th VE Day anniversary commemorations
Villagers in Aldbourne hosted various events and re-enactments over the weekend to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, on Thursday, May 8.
A ceremony was held on Sunday evening to honour Cecil Newton, one of the last survivors of the D-Day Landings, who died in Aldbourne last Thursday (May 1), aged 101.
Cecil served for more than three years in the Second World War, landing with the first wave of British forces storming Gold Beach on D-Day on June 6, 1944.
He narrowly escaped death in Western Germany, where he was badly wounded.
After the war, he made it his mission to visit France each year to honour his fallen comrades.
Under the warm evening sun, watched over by a replica Sherman tank Cecil once rode, a memorial tree and plaque were unveiled in Cecil’s memory on the football field, where the legendary ‘Band of Brothers’ camped.
Many dignitaries, guests and family members turned out to pay their respects.
Cecil’s children Paul, Richard and Claire Lozada said: “Growing up we slowly learnt of what had happened to our father during the war. The current conflicts depressed him greatly.
“He had a determination to ensure the 126 men of his regiment who were killed in Europe were not forgotten.
“He liaised, often by bicycle across Normandy, tirelessly to create memorials and systems for continued remembrance after he was gone.
“He had other vibrant interests, from Aldbourne heritage protection, bird watching and painting, learning French, playing the piano to visiting health workers when he was 100.
“He and our mother Joy passed these interests on to his children in different forms with variable success.
“Adoring France, to our mother's consternation with grandchildren on the way, he proposed to move to Normandy but settled for cycling and painting visits in the summer, especially to Creully.
“The planned twining of Creully and Aldbourne will be an enduring legacy of his ability to build bridges through joint remembrance, in the hope that remembrance of new war casualties will not be an aspect of his grandchildren's lives.”
Terry Gilligan, co-founder of Aldbourne Heritage Centre, knew Cecil since he came to Aldbourne in the 1970s.
“He was always good and very modest,” he said. “So was his wife. She died some years ago, but Cecil carried on, because he loved doing it.
“He always came [to remembrance events] no matter what. We've got a flag in his honour which we always put in the church on D-Day.”
A contingent of staff and pupils from the Cecil Newton Primary School also visited from Creully sur Seulles – a commune Cecil’s regiment helped liberate after D-Day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor of Creully Thierry Ozenne paid the following tribute to Cecil: “For months, on both sides of the Channel, our two communities have been waiting to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II together.
“For our small group and the 19 children accompanying us, this was also the opportunity to meet again our beloved British veteran, Cecil Newton.
“Sadly, circumstances have transformed this reunion into a farewell.
“Over time, we have had the chance to develop a special relationship with Cecil, an honorary citizen of Creully, whose name is engraved on the pediment of our school.
“Mr Newton embodied commitment, courage and loyalty. We could not find a better guide for our children. His words are like precious little seeds sown in the soil of democracy.
“Those who love Cecil retain the image of a man with a youthful smile, always amazed by life, despite the terrible trials he encountered along the way.
“We have a duty to show ourselves worthy of the legacy he leaves us.”
Pupils also shared a few words.
Speaking in English, one said: “This is a great honour for us, we, his ‘Little Sunshines’.
“We will always remember the strong link we had with him.”
Another added: “Cecil, we make you a promise. We will return.”
Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Rose Troughton presented Mr Ozenne with a framed photo showing the campaign trail of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards through Normandy.
The Shrivenham Defence Academy Military Wives Choir and Cecil Newton Primary pupils then brought tears to the eyes with two performances of ‘Lovingly Remembered', a song composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on words by Cecil.
Newburytoday was fortunate to join him on his final visit to Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day last year. We shall not forget.
