VOS Chairman, John Scivier, recently attended the D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration Tree Planting ceremony held at the D-Day Memorial Wood in Port Solent.
This is one of a several D-Day 80th anniversary commemorative events across the area to honour all those who took part in the Normandy landings.
This operation saw tens of thousands of soldiers crossing the channel in the daring mission to liberate occupied France. D-Day (6 June 1944) was just the beginning. The Battle of Normandy lasted for twelve more weeks. Allied forces aimed to capture key locations such as the port of Cherbourg and wear down the enemy’s strength.
In total, the Allies suffered around 4,440 deaths on D-Day, out of a total of approximately 10,250 casualties. *This number includes those killed, wounded, and missing, as well as casualties from the airborne assault.
D-Day operations claimed around 119 brave Portsmouth men who died during D-Day, or the Battle of Normandy (identified and the addresses taken from 1939 census records).
To remember all those who took part in these operations, the Portsmouth and Southsea Tree Warden Scheme arranged a ceremonial tree planting event at the D-Day Memorial Wood in Port Solent.
The arrival of Storm Bert led plans slightly astray, moving the planting date by a week to Saturday 30 November. Attendees, including our very own VOS Chairman, John Scivier, were undeterred and gathered at the planting site a week later to find the weather much finer, and perfect for planting saplings.
Veterans Outreach Support Chairman, John Scivier, said:
“When you look at a tree, there may be missing or damaged branches, but you see beauty in its shape, its leaves and its flowers. What isn’t visible is the complex, tangled and often stressed root system. It is the same for many veterans, the troubled parts are often hidden. It is up to all of us to access those roots and support and nurture them.”
The Portsmouth and Southsea Tree Wardens scheme was set up by Pauline Powell in March 2010 after gaining funding from Hilsea ward and Southsea Town Council who provided funding to cover the cost of membership to the National Tree Council.
More info about D-Day and 80th anniversary commemorative events:
• www.gov.uk
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The D-Day Story
