By Ben Shahrabi
The beacon in Promenade Park will be lit to mark 80 years since D-Day. (Credit: John Guiver)
Soldiers who helped liberate Europe during the Second World War will be remembered in a ceremony to mark 80 years since D-Day, at Maldon’s Promenade Park.
Maldon District Council will host a special beacon lighting ceremony as part of commemorations taking place all over the country, on June 6.
The event will take place at the beacon in Promenade Park from 8.45pm, where historian Stephen Nunn will read a piece written especially for the commemoration. It will highlight the sacrifices made by those from the Maldon district.
It will be followed by the reading of “A Nation’s Tribute” by Councillor Kevin Lagan, Chairman of Maldon District Council. The tribute will be read simultaneously in ceremonies throughout the country.
Mr Lagan said: “I would like to encourage the community to come together at this short ceremony to remember and honour the brave men and women who fought for freedom during World War II.
“This tribute will be part of the chain of beacons being lit across the country at the same time and date, as part of the nation’s tribute.”
The town’s beacon will be lit at 9.15pm.
Residents have been warned there will be “loud bangs” from maroons which will be fired as part of the commemoration, along with a Second World War air-raid siren at the start and end of the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Mr Lagan will lay a wreath at the grave of Private Charles Argent, who lies in Maldon Cemetery. He died during training.
D-Day, which took place on 6 June 1944, marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe during World War II. The successful Allied invasion of Normandy was a turning point in the war and contributed significantly to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.
The beacon lighting event will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of thousands of men and women who took part in the operation, many of whom never returned home, including those from the Maldon district.
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