D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)

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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An interview with

John Sturgis

John Sturgis was a Troop Commander in the Royal Marines, 41 Commando. In his interview...

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An interview with

Harry Marrington

Harry Marrington was a Seaman and Gunner with the Royal Navy Patrol Service. 

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An interview with

David Baines

Brigadier David Baines MBE served as the final President of the Normandy Veterans Association. In...

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An interview with

Allan Orpin

Allan orpine provides a good account of his time with the 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance...

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An interview with

Les Stonell

Les Stonell served as a Telegraphist Coder with the Royal Navy NP 1732. His work...

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An interview with

Len Mann

Len Mann served with D Company 12th Battalion Devonshire Regiment. 

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An interview with

Ken Watson

Ken Watson’s wife talks about her late husband. 

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An interview with

Jim Stephens

Jim Stephens served in 56th Devonshire Regiment, 86th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery.  He was a...

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An interview with

Doug Lakey

Whilst in Normandy, Doug Lakey served as an Observation Point Sergeant. It was fierce but...

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An interview with

Bernard Lynham

Bernard served with 46 Commando, Royal Marines part of the 9th Infantry Battalion.  

 

He...

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An interview with

Baden Singleton

Baden Singleton provides an honest [very honest] account of his time in the Royal Naval...

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An interview with

Stan Shore

Stan Shore served as a Trooper in HQ Squadron with the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment.
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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.

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Educational Resources - Longdendale
An interview with

John Sturgis

Tp Comd, B Tp, 41 Commando, landed H+1 D Day, really impressive sight, one really felt confident that nothing could go wrong. Pulled out our green berets, stuck out our chests and said come on Jerry we are after you. Assaulted Douvres le Deliverande. Tp Comd A Tp shot through cheek put him in a wheelbarrow. Later Wacheren Island, has bridge named after him.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Brig. C Elderton
An interview with

David Baines

Command Post Officer 25/26 Medium Battery, 7th Medium Regiment RA. HAd 5.5” guns landed 8 Jun Ver sur mer as part of 7 Armd Div. Describes run in shoot of 90 (City of London) Fd Regt. Got ashore, moved towards Bayeaux & Tilly. Describes Bty organisation & routine. Exciting / Action around Crepon. Counter battery fire, radios good by day poor by night. Became a bit casual. Brr Mellor first casualty buried Tilly. Mont Pincon supporting 43 (Wessex) Div. Fired 100 rounds per gun per day. Shells weighed 100lbs. Barrels wore out after three weeks. Soldiers not interested in the battle picture - they would have fought the French! Morale good. Served post war.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Brig. C Elderton
An interview with

Allan Orpin

An interview with

Len Mann

D Coy 12th Bn Devonshire Regt - glider trained. Went in by boat, insufficient gliders. Six days in the channel. At Ranville, Breville with 7 Para Bn - “our finest hour”, casualties, 162 killed in 5 mins. Across the Rhine as part of 3” mortar platoon & despatch rider.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Doug Lakey

Observation Post Sgt 217 Bty, 112 Fd Regt RA, Landed 10 Jun. Awarded MM for battle of Maltot. And, pieces of metal still coming out after 30 years. You got up every day & wondered whether there would be a tomorrow. The Div lost 2000 men on 10th Jul alone. “I wa always confident we would win but I didn’t think I’d be there to see it” Link to Phil Canes Sigs Sgt from Portsmouth.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Brig. C Elderton
An interview with

Baden Singleton

LSmm RN - Not a Normandy veteran - Royal Naval Patrol Service served Mediterranean, Sicily, vivid description of mine sweeping ops, Asdic sweeps, HMS Romeo & HMS Walborough. Describes impact of “Dear Johns” & the official RB brothel in Alexandria.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Brig. C Elderton