
The former Royal Navy sailor, who served aboard HMS Cotton during the invasion, shares his experiences ahead of the 79th anniversary.
Ernie Davies, a 98-year-old Navy veteran, expressed his joy at seeing “so many people” as he commemorated the 79th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. He was among 11 British veterans who travelled across the Channel to mark the historic military invasion.
Reflecting on his role during the invasion, Mr. Davies recalled serving aboard HMS Cotton in the summer of 1944. He described the mission as “desperate,” noting that the German forces were “taking desperate measures” as they faced defeat.
During the commemorative events, French schoolchildren laid wreaths, delivered speeches, and engaged with veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. This site honours the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who were killed on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy.
The British Normandy Memorial also hosted the Royal British Legion’s remembrance service on June 6, bringing together Allied nations and Germany to honour the fallen. Additionally, an avenue of 70 trees was planted to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, a gift from French President Emmanuel Macron for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.