Prince William’s Poignant Reading From D-Day Soldier’s Diary

Prince William’s Poignant Reading From D-Day Soldier’s Diary

our guests of honor today are those veterans from the Normandy Landing that came from across our nation and from all walks of life to join in the fight against tyranny many of those that took up arms had never seen comat before some were still only in their teens in their letters and Diaries we see their great strength this is an extract from a letter by Captain Alistair banman of the Royal warshire regiment addressed to his wife and written his diary on the morning of D-Day it is now 0300 hours in the morning and I’ve just been up to the bridge it is rather light because the Moon is shining though heavy clouds cover her one can see the row of small ships and of Darker balloons silhouetted in front and behind us against the gray sea you my angel sleep gently in the nursery I hope your thoughts have helped me so much they have given me real strength I can imagine how you listen to the news at 9:00 and think of me with love I hope that Andrew’s golden head rests gently and quietly upon his small pillow and that Richard is nice and comfortable lying in his narrow little carot a long line of flares hangs over sherog or I suppose it is sherog and a few anti-aircraft Tracer shots go up in the air above the immediate front line funny to imagine that their Germans run around their guns I’d like to know what they are thinking the whole Channel between us and sherog is filled with Little Ships which all quietly and efficiently sail towards France the British Canadian and American fighting forces on the war path I do not believe that I can now write for very long we can now see the French coast and very soon we will have to play our part I must go now and look for the landing markings with my binoculars to ascertain our Landing points so my darling on we go I know that you are with me or avoir God bless I love you Captain baman Survived The Landings and the wall being taken prisoner and returning home to his wife and sons in April the next year too many never returned they remain in some corner of a foreign field that is forever England we will always remember those who served and those who waved them off the mothers and fathers mothers brothers and daughters who watch their loved ones go into battle unsure if they would ever return today we remember The Bravery of those who crossed the sea to liberate Europe those who ensured that Operation Overlord was a success and those who waited for their safe return [Applause] [Applause] [Music]

The Prince of Wales has made a speech in front of war veterans at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Wearing his own military medals, William read an extract from the diary of Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, a soldier who was part of D-Day, addressed to his wife on the morning of the landings.