"D-Day" drabbles by Neville Hunt

Tribute

D-Day #2

A total Internet novice - that didn’t stop her. 15 years ago today we crossed the channel to Caen. With us in her car were her parents and brother. She’d organised it all, a tribute to her father’s role in D-Day.

She couldn’t have known our crossing would involve a naval escort of British, French, Canadian and American frigates, or a French military band welcoming us on Caen quayside.

A trip to Bernieres sur Mer where he’d landed troops, dinner, then the return trip. Fireworks as far as the eye could see.

One of the many reasons I love her.

Navy boy

D-Day #1

The young officer was excited. Today he would help his beloved country by taking Canadian troops and tanks on a specially adapted landing craft to Juno Beach in Normandy.

75 years ago today. He was second in command on the vessel and his diary records what happened and how he felt. It’s a snapshot of the feelings of a 19 year old. Today it seems incredible... but on another level he seems incredibly brave. So young... at one point he’d been the youngest Midshipman in the Royal Navy.

I was proud to know him. He was my father-in-law