A launch evening in Holsworthy has marked the beginning of a series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Holsworthy 44 is a non-profit community group run by volunteers which has been set up to celebrate the life and times of Holsworthy during the Second World War.
The group will be hosting their main event from July 26 to 28 this year to celebrate the anniversary of D-Day – it will see the town come to life with WWII re-enactors, authentic weapon displays, military vehicles and much more.
More recently after several months of planning, the group held their first launch event which took place on January 10 in the White Hart.
Visitors were able to see the group’s plans for the anniversary weekend and find out how they can volunteer for a myriad of jobs both at the weekend itself and in advance.
Ria Zoltan, project lead, said: “We were humbled by the support and interest shown. Everyone that came offered their services, provided kit or vehicles and volunteered for everything!
“Events such as these, are as successful as those who support them – and with that holding true, Holsworthy’44 will be a fabulous weekend.”
The group also hosted a second event which saw a memorial service held in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the Halifax Bomber DT781 of HCU Lindholme which crashed in Holsworthy on January 14, 1944.
The Halifax bomber caught fire at 20,000 ft and subsequently crashed due to catastrophic failure and loss of control, in a field at Anvil Corner.
First on the scene in 1944 was the Home Guard medical officer Dr Charles Evans and Lieutenant Fred Bate – sadly, all crew perished.
Those remembered were; Roy Charles Bradbury aged 22, Roy Burgess aged 19, James Joseph Cleary aged 24, Robert Herbert Dolden aged 23, Frederick Jacob Hjartarson aged 22 and William Routledge aged 21.
The memorial was attended by members of Holsworthy 44 led by Ria, with Jacqui Edwards, Ian Edwards and Andrew Marshall, who laid the wreath and recited the Exhortation.
The monument at the centre of the service was erected in 2002 by local author and historian, Charles Cornish, along with local volunteers Alan Edwards, Raymond Penfold, Conrad Ford, Peter Bate and David Cousins.
Conrad Ford also attended the memorial as did Jill Cornish, wife of Charles, who led a reading from The Fallen during the ceremony. The Reverend Alison Hardy officiated. The deputy mayor Cllr Debbie De Ste Croix was also in attendance, along with Liz Curtis from Holsworthy Museum, whose father Fred Bate, was first on scene.
A spokesperson from Holsworthy 44 said: “A poignant and well attended service of remembrance for the six young men, punctuated by haunting and precise playing of The Last Post and Reveille, by Hazel Entwistle, bugler, accompanied by the presence of the Standard bearer from the Holsworthy British Legion, Shirley Crane.”
To find out more about Holsworthy 44 events and the special commemoration event in July go to: h44.uk