On 6 June 1944, Allied forces embarked on the largest amphibious invasion in history. In this project we recorded the personal stories of those who planned the mission, stormed the beaches, parachuted into enemy territory, and battled through the difficult terrain of Normandy.
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John Morgan
If you’ve seen the film ‘The Longest Day’, you’ll know about the German fighters that...
Henry Draper
During the Normandy landings Henry Draper arrived at Juno Beach - and those who weren’t...
Gordon Dance
Gordon Dance served as a Stoker Mechanic in the Royal Navy.
On D-Day, he...
Walter Marshall
Walter Marshall was a submarine intelligence officer who, prior to D-Day, spent time on the...
Ted Hoskins
Ted Hoskins served in the Royal Navy as a Sick Berth Attendant. Whilst the risk...
Ted Dixon
In the Royal Signals Ted Dixon had a busy time during the war. Here he...
Ted Bootle
As part of the Royal Army Service Corp Ted Bootle was involved in the movement...
Geoff Pattinson
Geoff was a paratrooper; and his first attempt at getting to Normandy in a glider...
Frank Rosier
Frank Rosier served as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. On D-Day, he...
About D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
On 6 June 1944, Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history, beginning the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe. D-Day and the subsequent Normandy Campaign were defining moments of the Second World War, fought at immense cost. As time passes, it becomes ever more important to preserve the voices of those who were there.
Legasee’s Normandy Veterans Project
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, Legasee partnered with the Normandy Veterans Association, the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, and schools in Portsmouth and Chatham to capture first-hand accounts of the campaign. With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project recorded 100 interviews with veterans, adding to an archive of 70 earlier testimonies. These personal stories provide a deeply moving insight into the realities of war.
As well as being free to view in the Legasee Archive, the interviews form part of a permanent exhibition at the D-Day Museum, ensuring that future generations can hear directly from those who served.
In addition, veterans’ voices from the archive feature in a series of Legasee’s The Veterans’ Voice podcast, bringing their experiences to life through compelling storytelling and expert narration.