Lieutenant Colonel James Wood, president of the Royal British Legion's Soham branch, reflects on how Soham commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day
On the morning of Saturday June 8, some 150 Soham residents gathered on the recreation ground for a D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration.
The King was represented by Mr Daniel Schumann, Deputy Lieutenant, and Soham Town Council by Mayor David Woricker.
The very special guest was Mr Eric Jenkins (ex-Royal Navy) who arrived in Normandy three days after D-Day.
Adjacent to the Soham Scouts and Guides Hut, there was an Act of Remembrance at 11am with The Last Post and Reveille sounded by two adult instructors from the Corps of Drums Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force.
During the wreath-laying, the Soham Singers, coordinated by Maude Manning, added to the poignancy of the occasion.
A Drumhead Service, led by the Vicar of Soham, The Reverend Eleanor Whalley and Soham Baptist Church Pastor Colin Stringer, followed.
At 11.15am the exhibition within the Scout and Guides Hut re-opened.
Exhibits included tributes to Sister Mollie Evershed who was killed on 7th August 1944 as a result of HM Hospital Ship AMSTERDAM being struck by a mine.
Other exhibits were dedicated to Mr Eric Jenkins, and Mr Ken Machin - another D-Day veteran - who died in 2023.
Set up by Soham Heritage and Tourism, it also featured a general display on D-Day.
The Soham Dementia charity Walking In Your Shoes presented a model of the D-Day beach landing too.
Refreshments were enjoyed by everyone, including two commemoration cakes.
I am very grateful to all of those involved, including the support from Soham Town Council, in arranging this D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration.
It was a team effort. We will remember them.
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