PM words on D-Day commemorations

As she prepares to host leaders and representatives from 15 nations to honour D-Day veterans at historic commemorations in Portsmouth, Theresa May underlined the importance of continued western unity:

 

“The Normandy landings 75 years ago were a moment of historic international cooperation. 

 

“And it is right that at the heart of today’s commemorations are the veterans who fought to secure the liberty and the peace that we now enjoy.

 

“The global challenges we face today are different in their origin and nature. But as we confront new and evolving threats to our security it is more important than ever that we continue to stand together in upholding our shared values and way of life.

 

“That’s why the UK has this week committed our Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and F-35 fighter jets to support the efforts of NATO forces to preserve the security and collective defence of our allies.

 

“As I host leaders from around the world today to mark this significant moment in our shared history, we will together reflect on the continued importance of the western alliance for all our countries’ security and prosperity.

 

“And as we unite to pay tribute to those whose bravery and sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy marked a turning point in the Second World War, we will vow never to forget the debt we owe them. 

 

“Their solidarity and determination in the defence of our freedom remains a lesson to us all. And we will continue to stand up for the values of democracy, justice and tolerance that so many died to preserve.”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Portsmouth commemorations

 

Leader attendance

 

This is the first time the UK has hosted this many world leaders outside a formal summit since the 2012 Olympics.

 

Representatives from every country that fought alongside the UK in Operation Overlord – the Battle of Normandy – will attend commemorations in Portsmouth, alongside Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, members of the armed forces, and more than 300 veterans who are all over 90 years old.

 

The leaders and representatives attending the Portsmouth commemorations are:

 

National Commemorative Event

 

On Wednesday there will be an hour-long performance on Southsea Common – produced by the BBC – telling the story of the eve of the invasion of Normandy.

 

The event will feature testimony from veterans, theatrical performances and live music. It will end with a flypast of 24 aircraft including the Red Arrows and Spitfires.

 

During the performance the PM will read a letter written by Captain Norman Skinner of the Royal Army Service Corps to his wife Gladys on 3 June 1944. The letter was in his pocket when he landed on Sword Beach on 6 June. Captain Skinner was killed the following day, leaving his wife and two young daughters. 

 

The letter includes the following lines:

 

“My thoughts at this moment, in this lovely Saturday afternoon, are with you all now.

 

“I can imagine you in the garden having tea with Janey and Anne getting ready to put them to bed.

 

“Although I would give anything to be back with you, I have not yet had any wish at all to back down from the job we have to do.”

 

Veterans’ Reception and Leaders’ Lunch

 

After the display on Southsea Common the PM and the other leaders will join veterans at a reception.

 

This is an opportunity for them to pay their respects to the veterans who fought so bravely together for the freedom of Europe. 

 

The leaders and senior representatives will then sit down to a lunch together. They are expected to discuss the continuing importance of the western alliance and our ongoing cooperation to support our shared security.

 

Veterans’ sail-past

 

Early on Wednesday evening, the 300 veterans will leave Portsmouth on the MV Boudicca, a specially-commissioned ship chartered by the Royal British Legion which will be escorted by Type 23 Frigate HMS St Albans.

 

In the Solent, the veterans’ ship will be met by a flotilla of Royal Navy vessels. Sailors will line the decks in salute to pay their respects, while a lone Spitfire will fly overhead.

 

The Prime Minister will be aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which will be docked in Portsmouth for the commemorations, to wave off the veterans as they will sail once again to Normandy – retracing the journey they made across the channel 75 years ago.

 

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones will join the PM on the deck of the aircraft carrier to watch this historic sail-past.

 

Normandy commemorations

 

On Wednesday afternoon in Normandy the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade will jump from RAF C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-47 Dakotas to recreate the historic airborne landings. 

 

They will do so alongside French Army paratroopers. D-Day veterans will also jump from Dakotas as part of the re-enactment.

 

On Thursday, at 0726 local time in Arromanches a piper from the British Army will mark the moment the first British soldier landed on Gold beach.

 

The PM will visit Ver-sur-Mer to witness the inauguration of the British Normandy memorial to British servicemen, alongside President Macron. 

 

She will also attend services of commemoration and remembrance at the cathedral and cemetery in Bayeux – which was the first town to be liberated by the allied forces.