This June marks the 75 anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy that took place from the 6 June 21 August 1944. The focal point of the commemorations will be Portsmouth, which is where much of the D-Day Landing Force sailed from in 1944.
The city has planned a series of events over five days to reflect the area’s unique role in one of the largest and well-known military operations in history.
Since October 2018, city MP Stephen Morgan asked a series of questions in Parliament to find out how much funding the government would be giving to D-Day 75. Their answer was beyond disappointing. The Minster responsible for Veterans confirmed that they would be providing no funding to the commemorations.
Most of the surviving veterans who were involved in these events are in their 90s and 100s and the lack of government funding allocated to the commemorations is concerning.
As it stands, city events are largely being funded through charitable donations, private companies and advertising.
Disappointed by the response from Government, the Portsmouth South MP has now formally written urgently to the Prime Minister to seek a solution.
Stephen Morgan MP said:
“Portsmouth’s important role in Operation Overlord stretched beyond D-Day. Troops, vehicles and supplies continued to pass through the city for months afterwards and it played a pivotal role in the extraction of wounded soldiers throughout the operation, with many of those who died from the injuries buried within our city.
All eyes will be on Portsmouth on 5 June, where a major partnership between the city council and others will aim to provide support to veterans who wish to be part of the commemorations.
It is the nation who owes most to these brave men and women and it is unjust that the Government it is not contributing anything to the commemoration of their actions. The Prime Minister must know that Portsmouth people think this just isn’t good enough”.
Following publication of a series of events to mark the anniversary the MP added:
“It is only right that our great city is the national home to the 75 anniversary commemorations. I welcome the hard work of council officers with partners to plan a range of community activities to mark the key role Portsmouth played in Operation Overlord and the start of the end of World War Two.
This anniversary is personal for me. I’m hugely proud my grandfather left Southsea on this 17th birthday as a soldier in the largest military amphibious operation in our nation’s history, returning to Portsmouth after the conflict ended to help establish the Normandy Veterans’ Association in our city.
I look forward to the Prime Ministers reply. But one thing is certain, I won’t rest until the Government delivers for Portsmouth”.
