Submitted by Val Hiscock on
On Thursday 6th June 2024, King Offa Commandery marked the International 80th Anniversary of D-Day with the lighting of a Beacon at the Ancient Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
The commemoration was honoured to have His Majesty the King’s Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Colonel Nicholas Hile DL present together with The Mayor of Rushcliffe, Councillor Andy Brown and the Vice-Chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Paul Grafton.
At 21.00, we processed to the site of the Beacon where the D-Day 80 Proclamation was read by Chevalier John Bullock KLJ CMLJ. At 21.05, The Piper’s Tribute ‘Road to the Isles’ was played by Chevalier David Waterton-Anderson KSG KLJ OMM OMLJ. (80 years ago, Lord Lovat’s Personal Piper, Private Bill Millin, played this on Sword Beach on D-Day)
Then followed the D-Day 80 Tribute at 21.10 read by The Reverend Susan Caddy AChLJ. At 21.15, the D-Day 80 Beacon was lit by His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel Nicholas Hile DL, together with Deputy Bailiff and Commander of King Offa, Chevalier Mario Rizzardi KCLJ CMLJ, before the playing of the Last Post, the two minutes silence and the Reveille.
The event concluded at 21.17 with the singing of the National Anthem.
A memorable event paying tribute to those involved 80 years ago. We give them all our heartfelt thanks.
