Preparations are underway to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day and mark West Sussex’s key role

Release date: 15 May 2024

On 6 June 1944, or D-Day, one of the most ambitious military operations of all time was launched by Allied Forces with the invasion of Nazi-occupied western Europe. In the build-up, thousands of troops were billeted in West Sussex. Residents are invited to learn more about these historic times via one of West Sussex Library Service’s online resources, or to mark the anniversary by attending an exhibition or other event.

West Sussex Record Office in Chichester has already launched its free D-Day display in its reception and search room, which will be available throughout May and June. Copies of D-Day West Sussex: Springboard for the Normandy Landings 1944 by Ian Greig, Kim Leslie and Alan Readman will be available to purchase for the reduced price of £5 (usually £7.95). Copies can be purchased from the Record Office and West Sussex Libraries. Please contact: bibliographicalservices.library@westsussex.gov.uk

Recordings of D-Day veterans can be found on the West Sussex Military Voices website worldwartwoexperience - West Sussex and further information about D-Day and its links to West Sussex is available online at West Sussex County Council: D-Day.

The Library Service also has a Remembrance webpage, Remembering Wartime Sussex, https://arena.westsussex.gov.uk/-/remembrance-sussex  plus a video of wartime images https://youtu.be/ks5_xfS8O2A?si=8Nz-CWD27-w65Zwh  

Cllr Pieter Montyn, Chairman of West Sussex County Council, said: “The 80^th anniversary of D-Day is a momentous occasion and one I am pleased to see is being marked so well across the county.

“West Sussex has a fascinating link to the Normandy Landings: did you know The Bracklesham Bay Hotel hosted Eisenhower, Montgomery and Churchill while they observed landing rehearsals at Bracklesham and Climping? I urge you to go and explore more facts and celebrate this anniversary.”

The county council will be hosting the West Sussex Armed Forces Conference in June, where we will be joined by other organisations and charity partners to raise awareness and improve support for the Armed Forces Community (serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families).

The council also supports veterans all-year-round via The Armed Forces Covenant which provides support for veterans, military reservists and their families. More information about the support on offer can be found on our website at Supporting the armed forces community - West Sussex County Council or by emailing ArmedForces@westsussex.gov.uk.

Other local events taking place include:

• Wednesday June 5^th, 2pm-4pm – Rustington and D-Day Tickets, Wed, Jun 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
• Thursday June 6th, 8.40pm - 9.30pm - Commemorative service at Selsey’s East Beach Green
• Thursday June 6^th, 9.15pm – Lighting of the Beacon, at various locations across West Sussex
• Saturday June 8^th, 11am-3pm – D-day 80th Anniversary Event – Save the Date – Southbourne (southbourne-pc.gov.uk)
• Saturday June 8^th & Sunday June 9^th, 9am-5pm – D-Day Revival | Southwick Village D-Day Revival (southwickrevival.co.uk)
• Not date specific: - Chichester's Role in D-Day - The Novium Museum