Pudsey & Farsley Royal British Legion Branch hosted two services of Remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, which was a pivotal moment in the Second World War.
The first service was conducted at Farsley War Memorial by Branch President Danny Dance with Councillor Andrew Carter.
A wreath was laid to acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices of the Farsley community during crucial summer of 1944.
This was followed by a large and well attended service at Pudsey Cenotaph.
The service was opened by the Reverend Richard Dimery with prayers for continued peace and liberty and thanks for our Armed Forces.
Branch historian Damon Sugden continued with an explanation of the significance of D-Day. The names of the Pudsey men who died during the battle for Normandy, and are named on the Cenotaph were read out:
19 year old Private John William Cooper of the Highland Light Infantry
23 year old Corporal Allan Emsley of the Royal Armoured Corps 1st East Riding Yeomanry
28 year old Lance Corporal Charles Keir of the 7th Bn. Green Howards
20 year old Private Peter Pacey of the York and Lancaster Regiment
21 year old Private Benjamin Powell of the 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
19 yo Private Robert Powell Townend of the 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regiment
Wreaths and crosses were laid by Branch members and Councillors Simon Seary and Trish Smith, also by Dawn Seary on behalf of Stuart Andrew MP.
Branch President Danny Dance read the poem “In Ocean Wastes” (the Naval version of “In Flanders Fields”) and The Exhortation. This was followed by the Standards being lowered to The Last Post and a 2 minutes silence.
There was a guest appearance of the D-Day-Normandy Old Comrades Association (Pudsey) Standard, this was its first public appearance since being laid up after the last local Normandy Veterans had sadly passed away. The standard was kindly loaned by Pudsey & District Civic Society.
Branch historian Damon Sugden said:
“Our communities played their full part in everything that happened in the build up to D-Day.
“From the young men and women that had joined up, our skilled workforce that moved onto war work producing vital supplies. The generous local folk that opened their homes to the children and refugees from our bombed cities. This all piece by piece laid the foundations for victory.
“It’s important to remember the our combat veterans of D-Day, who fought their way up those beaches on this day 75 years ago. Many of them now all sadly passed on, but we acknowledge and say thank you to that incredible generation to whom we owe so much.”
Pudsey & Farsley Royal British Legion Branch wish to thank everyone who attended and participated.
Their next event will be their Armed Forces Day weekend celebration at the Royal Hotel, Station Street, Pudsey on both the 29th and 30th of June.
For more event information visit the branch Facebook page.
______________
Local news is in crisis. Can you help?
These are challenging times for local news providers – and producing your daily dose of West Leeds Dispatch comes at a cost!
We’re a small, community-led news organisation which needs your support to keep delivering quality journalism. We want to continue to maintain our openness and protect our precious independence – and above all to connect people with what’s happening in their part of West Leeds. Every reader contribution, big or small, helps us to do that.
For as little as £4 a month (£1 a week) you can support us – and it only takes a minute.
Or set up a standing order with your bank: Contact us on Paywestleedsdispatch@gmail.com if you’d like to do this.
Your support will make a difference. Thank you.
