WATCH: Buckie pays homage to D-Day heroes to mark 80th anniversary
BUCKIE joined communities across the land on Saturday in commemorating the sacrifices made 80 years ago at D-Day to liberate Europe from the Nazi yolk.
WATCH: The colours being marched into Cluny Square as the D-Day service gets under way:
Military veterans and members of the public alike gathered at the war memorial to remember all those who took part in what was the biggest ever military amphibious invasion in July 6, 1944.
Almost 133,000 British, American and other Allied troops - over 1546,000 if airborne forces are counted - stormed the beaches of Normandy in the teeth of determined German resistance, with over 4400 of them losing their lives before the beaches were secured and the death knell was sounded for Hitler’s regime.
Those attending the Buckie service were welcomed by Peter McPhee from the local Royal British Legion branch.
Buckie All Saints Episcopal Church minister Rev Canon Jeremy Paisey read from Scripture, as well as offering prayers during the service
The Exhortation, read by Peter Reid, remained a poignant as ever as thoughts turned to those young men who faced - and often made - the ultimate sacrifice.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
”Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
”At the going down of the sun and in the morning
”We will remember them.”
The Last Post - and later the Reveillie - were played on the bugle by Janet Winterbourne, with the haunting notes of the lament Flowers of the Forest ringing round the square on the pipes.
Reciting the Armed Forces Prayer was Katy Forbes-Marshall.
Mr Reid brought the service to a close with the Kohima epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today’.”
Three wreaths were laid during the service - two from the Royal British Legion, one of which specially commemorated D-Day, and one laid on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, who was unable to make the service.
Highlighting the importance of marking the Normandy, landings, Mr Simpson said: “The D Day landings on June 6, 1944 were one of the most significant events in 20th century history.
“Many from historic Banffshire and the north-east played a significant role both in the fighting and the support networks. Their courage and bravery, shown on the beaches and in the towns of Normandy contributed greatly to the final victory over the Nazi forces.
“We are eternally grateful to them and it is right and proper that we remember them on this 80th anniversary of those momentous events. I am grateful to the members of Buckie Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland for organising this event.”
Local community group Buckie’s Roots made their contribution to the commemoration proceedings thanks to a memorial display near the war memorial featuring, among other items, the silhouette of a Tommy - a British soldier, a soldier’s helmet and poppies.
Codenamed Operation Neptune, the Normandy landings are more popularly known in the popular imagination as D-Day. Work on the landings began as far back as 1943 with the invasion itself swinging into action just after midnight on July 6
Covering around 50 miles of the Normandy coast, the beaches were divided up into five sectors - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
The British landed on Gold and, with Free French troops, Sword beaches, while the Americans stormed Utah and Omaha. Canadian forces attacked Juno. Of the ground forces who went ashore that day in 1944, around 74,000 were American, nearly 62,000 British and 21,400 Canadians as well as personnel from a number of other countries.
