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D-Day 80 in Deddington was marked by a short and poignant ceremony in which the Union Flag was hoisted at 06.30 when the landing on the Normandy beaches began, assisted by the specialised beach clearance vehicles belonging to General Hobart's 79th Armoured Brigade or "Hobo's funnies" as they became called.

Piper Stewart Carnegie played the air 'Hielan Laddie' just as Piper Bill Mullen of the Lovat Scouts bravely did amidst shot and shell on Juno beach in 1944.

The RBL County Chairman, Parade Marshall and Standard Bearer were present. But the most significant attendees were the nearly 100 parishioners who had set their alarm clocks very early. Among them were seven parish councillors and the Clerk, County Councillor Arash Fatemian, District Councillor David Rogers and former local Conservative MP, Victoria Prentis.

The Ceremony

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06.19  Commander Robert Forsyth RN (Ret'd) Branch Chairman welcomed everyone (audio recording HERE)

Click on image to read his prayers and the names of those who died 

06.20  Rev. Nick Fielden offered prayers in remembrance of the bravery of the men who fought on this day and those who died or were injured. He prayed for peace and better understanding between nations and for our Royal Family and then read out the 13 names of those who died in WWII


 

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06.28 Major David Hood MC Branch President recited the Ode followed by a two minute silence

06.30 Piper played 'Hielan Laddie' and the Union Flag was hoisted by Clive Wincott (ex Royal Navy) resident of Hobart Way

click on image to view video

06.32 Piper played two more airs - 'Highland Cathedral' and 'Going Home'

click HERE to view video

06.40 Ceremony ended

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Click on the image for a larger version

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radio Oxford

Following the ceremony, the Chairman was interviewed by Radio Oxford about the importance of  Major-General Sir Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobart, KBE, CB, DSO, MC (14 June 1885 – 19 February 1957) to Deddington.

Gallery

These images above and more can be found in the D-Day 80 Album