An emotional ceremony saw Watford pay respects on the anniversary of the D-Day landings.
On June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne invasion in history landed on the beaches of Normandy which began the liberation of France and ultimately the Allied victory in the Second World War.
Today, 80 years on, borough council chairwoman Dawn Allen-Williamson, Hornets legend Luther Blissett, and HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss raised a flag and lay wreaths at the Peace Memorial by the Town Hall at 11am.
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Beechfield School pupils also helped mark the occasion by reading a D-Day poem.
“It was quite emotional to have people from all different walks of life, the Lord Lieutenant, children, families… all paying their respects,” said Watford mayor Peter Taylor.
“It’s a really historic day and right that we remember the great sacrifice of so many to change the course of the Second World War.”
The public is also invited to gather at Watford Museum, in Lower High Street, just before 9pm this evening to hear the Lord Lieutenant read out the proclamation.
There will be a beacon lighting ceremony at 9.15pm and then the North London Military Wives Choir will sing and the poem will be read out again.
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