The D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on June 6 in 1944 were a turning point in the Second World War, with more than 155,000 troops – the majority from the UK, the US and Canada but with support from countries including France and Poland – playing their part in the largest seaborne invasion in history.
Their bravery and sacrifice was marked today in Leeds with a wreath-laying service at the war memorial in Victoria Gardens in the city centre.
The service was led by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, alongside Ed Anderson CBE (HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire) and Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL (High Sheriff of West Yorkshire).
Civic buildings were lit up red, white and blue to mark the anniversary, and an illuminated D-Day motif – made by the council’s Leeds Lights team – will be on display in Victoria Gardens throughout the month of June.
Pictures from the day can be viewed in the gallery below:
1. D-Day Anniversary
Crowds gather at Victoria Gardens for the wreath-laying service. | National WorldPhoto: National World
3. D-Day
(Centre) Veteran Simon Brown of Morley spoke of the significance of D-Day ahead of the 80th anniversary | National WorldPhoto: National World
4. Tributes
Tributes messages on wreaths laid at the foot of Leeds War Memorial | National World
5. D-Day memorial service
(Centre) Ed Anderson CBE (HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire) standing next to the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung. | National WorldPhoto: National World
6. They shall be remembered
The D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on June 6 in 1944 were a turning point in the Second World War | National WorldPhoto: National World