I wonder how many Charlton fans (incl Eisenhower of course) were making the final preparations for the greatest land invasion ever?
Among the many brave souls who were willing to make the greatest sacrifice in order to rid tyranny from Europe and beyond.
A lot has changed in the 70 years that have followed, some good, some bad, but we must be forever grateful to those who set off from our shores tonight.
This is probably the last chance we will get to remember alongside many who were there, but when they are gone the memory must live on.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
The debt of gratitude we owe to those who marched on that day and beyond is immeasurable. This and the memory of their sacrifice will live in eternity.
Dad was in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and drove mainly Bren gun carriers. He fought through Northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany before coming home to blighty in 1947. One of 10 children, he had 6 brothers, one of whom died as a toddler. Of the remaining 6 sons, 5 fought in the Second World War at the same time; 1 as a marine, 1 as a paratrooper, 2 in the navy and 1, my dad, in the army. One was badly wounded, one was a P.O.W. But all survived.
Sadly, dad passed away in 1998 but he was and still is my hero. A true addick who once lived in both Floyd Road and, later, Valley Grove, I have him to blame / thank for my lifelong addicktion.
Love, respect and grateful thanks to all those men, dads and heroes who "did their bit" for the liberation of Europe and in the whole of that terrible conflict.
RIP Ron Davis, my hero x
My grandad also landed in Normandy D_-Day plus 6.
Fantastic generation.
Fast forward 50 years and it's another brilliant day.. The day I was born
But there was a UXB (unexploded bomb) near Leeds so his team where sent to deal with that. One of his colleagues was so relieved as he'd convinced himself he would be killed in the invasion. A few days later that sapper was killed trying to lift a British mine from a British beach.
Salute to all those who fought and to all those who died fighting fascism and for a free Europe.
Never forget, never again.
Why do you still grieve old man,for those friends you laid to rest?
Why do your eyes gleam old man,when you hear those bugles blow?
Tell me why you cry old man, about those days so long ago.
I'll tell you why I march young man, with medals on my chest
I'll tell you why I grieve young man, for those I laid to rest,
Through misty fields of gossamer silk come visions of distant times,
When boys of tender age lost lives, and all their mothers pined;
We buried them in a blanket shroud, their young flesh scorched and blackened,
A communal grave newly gouged in blood stained gorse and bracken,
And you ask me why I march young man, I march to remind you all,
That but for those apple-blossom youths, you'd never have known freedom at all.”
Just finished a book about The Long Range Desert Group their Association has already disbanded but the SAS have incorporated it into their own as they didnt want the bravery and the recognition that these brave men to be forgotten.
Although time stops for no one the fact that there will so few of these brave men around soon is very sad.
He was in India (Up the Khybar) from 1925-1938. He was involved in many skirmishes often led bayonet charges. He boxed for the army and played Football and Hockey as well.
He was in the BEF in 1939 and was in the retreat of Dunkirk. He was put in the army reserve in 1942 and reenlisted to regulars in 1943, was made up to Sargent and volunteered to go in at approx 07-30 hours at Arromanche (Gold Beach) with his old regiment. He was 35 years old. Why volunteer? 'Because its my duty, son'.
He came back from the war in 1945 with a Luger after he had overcome a German officer. Which he kept.
When I was 11 he let me fire it (2 rounds) of the 13th floor of his flat in Kilbourn. That was a laugh!!
He had a fighting spirit of the time, he was a hard bastard but a real gentleman.
He died in 1980 and I still miss him.
RIP
Someone asked the question re Addicks in Normandy, attached is my Grandad in later life when I took him back to Normandy. He served throughout the campaign with 83 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force though to Germany and lived to be 90, also Len Addams, HMS Jervis who served at Anzio and on D-Day, today is about them thanks Grandad and Uncle Len for standing up for freedom and making our world a better place.
Pic one is him visiting his pals grave, pic 2 in the village his airfield was located and pic three where he came ashore