Wrexham city centre to host commemorative D-Day 80th anniversary parade

A parade will take place in the city centre this week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

On Thursday June 6 Wrexham will play its part in remembering those who fought and lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy.

The landings marked the start of the battle to liberate western Europe, and proved a pivotal moment in the Second World War – eventually leading to the defeat of Hitler’s forces on the western front.

Thursday’s commemorative parade will begin from St Giles Church at 1:15pm.

The procession will march to the Normandy Veterans’ Memorial at Bodhyfryd, where a short wreath-laying service will take place.

The parade will be led by the Corps of Drums and Standard Bearers, members of the armed forces community, the Mayor of Wrexham Councillor Beryl Blackmore, and Wrexham Council’s Armed Forces Champion Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones.

The parade will also include crew members from HMS Dragon, and it will be the first time the crew has visited Wrexham since the city was officially affiliated with the warship at the end of April.

Councillor Parry-Jones said: “Please come along and support the parade, and help us pay our respects to those who fought and lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy in 1944.

“Their sacrifices and bravery helped secure the freedom we enjoy today, and it’s so important that we remember what they did for us.

“It will also be the first time that crew from HMS Dragon have visited the city, and we would love to see as many people as possible come along to give them a warm welcome.”