Sleep well, O Valiant Knights
As well as visiting the British Normandy Memorial above the beaches of Omaha, Juno, Gold, Sword and Utah just before the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, Frank Mallett paid his respects at the Bayeux War Cemetery. He took photographs of the headstones of all the members of 21 BDS who died on D-Day and the days after. Every grave is very well tended.
BBC > “On the evening of 5 June 1944, thousands of allied servicemen were waiting courageously for the signal to launch. In the 24 hours that followed, the troops of D-Day achieved the unthinkable, pushing the boundaries of ingenuity, bravery and sacrifice.
“Eighty years later, as night fell, a reflective and poignant event was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux.
“The event culminated in a unique act of remembrance. As darkness descended, there was a moment of light that focused the nation’s minds and hearts on the price that was paid for D-Day’s success as all 4,600 headstones were individually lit.”
This is an extract from that programme. Copyright BBC