Final Cenotaph Parade for Veterans

John A Silkstone

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Final Cenotaph parade for veterans

Hundreds of D-Day veterans are to march past the Cenotaph in London for the last time.
But with the average age of survivors of the historic Second World War landings in 1944 now in the mid-80s, organisers said it would not be possible to stage the mass event for future anniversaries.

They urged people to line the streets to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the servicemen, who will gather at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Peter Hodge, honorary general secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, said it would be an emotional occasion.

"We hope to have in the region of 600 veterans and family members there. It's going to be tremendously emotional - it's the end of an era. It's the final parade for the Normandy Veterans Association in Whitehall in London."

Mr Hodge, 67, of Bristol, said the association, which has 86 branches, would continue to operate despite ending the Cenotaph event.

He praised the veterans, adding: "We would like to see as many people as possible in Whitehall to give these guys a final clap. They are such an illustrious, gallant group of men."

The veterans will march from King Charles Street, off Whitehall, to the Cenotaph for a service and wreath-laying led by the NVA's national chaplain, the Rev Kenneth Ward.

The band of the Welsh Guards will accompany the parade.
 

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