Community groups in Largs are gearing up to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June - and young people are being encouraged to participate.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) warned that this year’s anniversary may be “the final major commemoration attended by veterans of D-Day” across the UK.
To raise awareness, the CWGC, which maintains war memorials and cemeteries, announced a series of events in the UK where flaming torches will be passed from veterans to young people, representing the handing over of the responsibility for commemoration.
And as previously reported, the Skelmorlie Secret Bunker museum will hold a commemoration on the evening of Thursday, June 6.
An evening of family activities at the former nuclear monitoring post in the back hills behind Largs and Skelmorlie will run from 7pm until 10pm, with a beacon being lit at 9.15pm.
The 25 Group Royal Observer Corps Association (ROCA) will be taking part in the UK-wide beacon lighting ceremony, while a piper from Largs will play tunes by William Millin. He was the personal piper to Lord Lovat, as portrayed by Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee, official piper to the Queen Mother, in the 1962 film The Longest Day that told the story of the landings on the Normandy coast.
READ MORE: Beacon to be lit near Largs this June to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day
Last week, Conservative Councillor Todd Ferguson raised the importance of primary pupils being educated over role that Largs played during the North Ayrshire full council meeting on Thursday.
He said: "Like many families in Scotland I have a personal connection. My great uncle, William Todd, was part of the Royal Engineers and he was one of the thousands who took part in the Normandy landings.
"The family story goes that during the landings he was separated from his beloved pipes. However, following the chaos he would was reunited with them at a later date. He was one of the lucky ones who returned home.
“Many people may be unaware but it was in Largs that the D-Day planning took place."
He continued: “The Rattle Conference, held in 1943 in the Hollywood and the old Vanduara Hotels, was attended by all the big hitters of the day. Lord Louis Mountbatten, Sir Winston Churchill, Dwight D Eisenhower, 20 generals, 11 air marshals and commodores, eight admirals, and a slew of brigadiers.
“It was at this conference that the beaches of Normandy were chosen as the target.”
“It was also at this conference that the Allies planned a deception campaign, called ‘Operation Fortitude’, which was deliberately leaked to the Germans in order to throw them off the scent of the planned landings for Normandy.
“It is vitally important that we remember the immense contribution that ordinary families and our local area played in the planning and successful outcome of D-Day."
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Councillor Ferguson added: “That is why it is so important to host local events, so that our local Normandy connection is retained for generations to come. We must always remember the sacrifices made by all of those who fought for our freedoms.
“This is why I have asked the council to engage with local schools to ensure that children and young people are aware of the part played by Largs.
"It is vitally important that they remember the sacrifices of all the brave men and women who were involved in this crucial first step towards the liberation of Europe.”
Councillor Marie Burns, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “Community based groups in Largs and Skelmorlie have been supported in developing events and displays to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary.
"A display will be open to the public in Largs Museum sharing the story of the landings including the the link to planning sessions for the landing at Vanduara in Largs.
“The Secret Bunker in Skelmorlie will host a beacon lighting ceremony on the evening of June 6.
"Coastwatch Scotland are also hosting an event on the same day in Irvine, close to their premises at Irvine Beach. The information boards at Largs Promenade have been re-created and installed in the North Ayrshire Heritage Centre and will accompany a short film featuring local veterans sharing their stories of D-Day.
“The anniversary will also be marked through the council’s heritage team’s social media channels.”
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