Mid Essex commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day

The public, dignitaries, serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans across the Braintree and Maldon districts commemorated the anniversary last Thursday.

The D-Day landings were the largest seaborn invasion in history, and it is estimated more than 4,000 Allied military personnel were killed on the first day of the campaign, which lasted until the end of August 1944.

Witham Town Council held a parade, service and beacon lighting to the mark the D-Day anniversary.

Parade - More residents and uniformed organisations during the Witham parade (Image: Witham Town Council)

The parade, which started at The Avenue and finished at the River Walk, by Chipping Hill Bridge, was led by the Caledonian Pipe Band, and consisted of dignitaries, uniformed organisations and members of the public.

Testimonies of those who took part in the landings were read out as part of a service led by Witham mayor Lucy Barlow, and the beacon was lit at 9.15pm

Special guests involved in the ceremony included 101-year-old veteran Arthur ‘Nobby' Clark who served during the D-Day landings and was part of a four-man landing craft crew.

A commemoration was held in Promenade Park, Maldon, where local historian and broadcaster Stephen Nunn read a piece had written especially for the anniversary.

Special guest - Arthur 'Nobby' Clark (Image: Witham Town Council)

It highlighted the sacrifices made by soldiers from the Maldon district.

Maldon District Council chairman Kevin Lagan then read A Nation's Tribute and the beacon was lit at 9.15pm.

D-Day veteran and Maldon resident Ron Baker joined the event at the park.

He was a member of 45 Commando Royal Marines and took part in the landings 80 years ago.

Important - Maldon residents in Promenade Park for the D-Day commemoration (Image: Jon Yuill)

Honouring the dead - Stephen Nunn and  Maldon District Council chairman Kevin Lagan next to the grave of Private Charles Argent (Image: Maldon District Council)

Earlier in the day Mr Lagan laid a wreath at the grave of Private Charles Argent, in Maldon Cemetery, who sadly died in training for D-Day.

The beacon lighting serves as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the thousands of men and women who took part in the operation, many of whom never returned home.