The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans proudly returned to Normandy this June to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, honouring the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who played a pivotal role in the liberation of Europe during WWII
The group, including six WWII and five post war veterans, accompanied by volunteer London black cab drivers and charity supporters, made the poignant journey to the Normandy beaches where British, American, Canadian and Allied forces landed on 6 June 1944.
The commemorative trip included visits to significant historical sites, memorial services, and opportunities for reflection and remembrance.
The six WWII veterans, with a combined age of 598, were warmly welcomed at ceremonies in Pegasus Bridge and the Bayeaux CWGC and during visits to Arromanches, where a Mulberry was installed to aid the landings and the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer where the names of the fallen are recorded. For the veterans, the trip is a chance to remember fallen comrades and share their personal stories of courage, loss, and resilience.
One hundred year old WWII veteran Don Turrell and his 28 year old friend and trip companion Callum Reid made an incredibly moving visit to St Manvieu cemetery to visit the comrades that Don had lost in the Battle for Hill 112. The Battle for Hill 112 took ten weeks of fierce fighting and cost many lives. Callum’s great grandfather was also involved in this huge operation and lost his life. He is buried in beautiful St Manvieu and for the very first time Callum was thrilled to bring his medals to his graveside.
“The Taxi Charity is deeply honoured to support these incredible men and women who gave their everything without hesitation, for our freedom,” said Paul Cook, Vice Chairman of the Taxi Charity. “Each year, as the numbers who were part of this campaign decrease, it becomes more important to ensure their voices are heard and their sacrifices remembered. We are so very proud to help them return to Normandy and ensure future generations understand the price of the freedoms we enjoy today.”
During this visit the veterans particularly enjoyed meeting students from Saint-Germain-en-Laye who spent an hour asking the veterans about their wartime experiences.
The charity’s work is made possible by the generous support of donors and sponsors who continue to champion the charity’s mission of offering friendship and support to military veterans.
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
