Ellesmere Port Memories: Heroes of D-Day set off for 65th anniversary commemorations

By Ellesmere Port Pioneer on Jun 10, 09 02:02 PM in 2000 onwards

D-DAY veterans who had thought they would never see the scene of their famous victory again left Ellesmere Port for Normandy to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Among a travelling party of 84 are 41 veterans, including seven from Chester, five members of the Cheshire Yeomanry and helpers and carers. They all boarded a coach and three minibuses yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

Two wealthy benefactors stepped forward after hearing they had been refused money from the Ministry of Defence, which said they would only offer financial support for the 100th anniversary.

TV cameras from the BBC and Granada were on hand at Whitby Sports and Social Club to see the troop of pensioners off.

Secretary of the Wirral and Chester branch of the Normandy Veterans Association Yvette Innes said: "They're over the moon. They can't believe it.

"Most of them have realised this will be the last time that they go.

"We are the only active branch in the area so we've been trying to get as many veterans as we can from this area to go."

Only in March - when much of the money had already been raised - did the government say they would offer support so that all veterans could attend.

Veterans from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Liverpool, Warrington, Widnes and elsewhere all set off together in the largest single group to leave our shores.

They will stayed at Carey's Manor in the New Forest for an overnight stay to break up the journey. They will then pay a visit to and visited the D-Day museum in Portsmouth.

On the way back they will rest in the Premier Inn in Portsmouth.

Comedian Eddie Izzard gave £100,000 to the appeal while millionaire tycoon Martin Ainscough and Cokebusters followed with donations of their own.

The picture shows Maurice Carpenter, 100-year-old George Cross and Marie Page with Lord Mayor of Chester (John Ebo) who joined the group of Normandy veterans and their carers on Wednesday morning at Whitby Sports and Social Club as they boarded a coach and three minibuses to travel to France to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

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