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Although D-Day was two months ago now, we're still receiving so many lovely photos of D-Day commemorations from our older people's schemes that we really wanted to share them in full now so everyone can enjoy them. 

Whitecross Court and Hurrel Court, Plymouth

On 6th June, all at Whitecross Court and Hurrell Court celebrated the D-Day 80th Anniversary in the communal lounge at Whitecross Court. We began the day with bacon butties and then decorated the lounge area. After lunch, we had 1940’s music playing whilst residents reminisced
about the war years (some in fancy dress of the era) and Plymouth in the Blitz, before enjoying a buffet afternoon tea and fantastic celebration cake provided by resident Colin (Budgie) Stewart.

 

Marlborough Court, Bideford

Residents at Marlborough Court celebrating D-Day with afternoon tea.

 

Peacock Place, Starcross

Our Tuesday morning “Cuppa and Catch Up” has been a huge success with residents enjoying each others company each week. Tuesday the 4th June was a morning to reflect and remember. Dressed for the occasion, residents shared their experiences and knowledge of D-Day and World War 2.

It started with George, a retired history teacher, recounting the emotional times when he had visited Normandy’s beaches and memorial sites. George kindly brought with him a library of books on the 2nd World War and offered to lend them.

Carol had prepared her talk which included passages her mother and father had written about their experiences of the invasion and occupation of Guernsey. Carol’s Grandfather worked on the lifeboat in Guernsey and sadly her uncle lost his life when the lifeboat came under fire from the air, truly tragic. Her brother has written a book “MAYDAY! MAYDAY! which has been made into a short film funded by the RNLI. Carol talked with great pride while sharing this very moving and personal family account.

It was a true privilege to hear Francis, 97, our oldest resident at Peacock, share her personal experience of WW2. Aged 18 Francis travelled from Starcross daily by train to work at the parachute factory in Exeter, then worked on into the night at home with her mother sewing camouflage netting for the tanks and guns. She recalls having to sleep under the stairs during air raids and viewing the aftermath of the raids on Exeter from a local viewpoint high on the hill above Starcross

Lynn read extracts from “The Survivor”, a book written about the crew of her father’s Lancaster bomber which was shot down; her father survived but 3 crew members sadly lost their lives. Lynn proudly showed us photos of the crew and the aircraft.

Derek kindly printed maps showing the D-Day beaches and various other memorabilia he had collected, sharing his knowledge and interest in WW2.

This was a morning to remember and left everyone humble and reflective. Sharing such personal and valued interest builds bonds, understanding and friendships.

Resident Carol Trezise (pictured bottom left) wrote:    

D-Day – as the 80th Anniversary approached Michelle asked the residents of Peacock Place if they would lie a get together for a ‘war time’ tea. We were all delighted and several people spoke of their experiences. The most important of the speakers was Francis who at 97 was the only one who had lived through the war, being a maker of parachutes. We all brought in books and maps,

Lynn (pictured bottom middle) had a book about her father’s experience in the RAF. "We all made a contribution, and it was very interesting. I talked about the occupation in Guernsey and my grandfather’s part in the war."

Lynn, Francis and Carole. (pictured bottom right)

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