03-Dec-2024

The Empty Chair at the Christmas Table

This festive season we remember the many families who were missing loved ones 80 years ago; on Christmas Day 1944.

The homes of the 22,442 where mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives and children would look across to the empty chair at the Christmas table, and remember their son, brother, husband and father who would not be coming home from the beaches and fields of Normandy.

The daughter of Robert Osborne, on of the 22,442 named on the Memorial, shared her reflections on this. Jean Foxley said:

“As children we did not realise the enormous impact Dad’s death had on our Mum. Not only had she lost her soul mate, but she had to raise four children on a meagre war widow’s pension. Growing up we began to realise what an enormous hole Dad’s death had created in our family.”

Join us in remembering the young, widowed mothers, putting on a brave face for their children and enduring the heartbreak of losing their husband while shouldering the responsibilities as a sole parent.

Christine Ballantine, daughter of Sandy Ballantine, said:

“I began my research in earnest on Sandy many years ago. I’ve mourned his loss every day of my life, even though I was only 8 months old when he was killed. Unfortunately, I had a rocky relationship with my late Mother, so Sandy’s loss was made ever more poignant to me and hence my leaving Britain and immigration to Canada in 1966. His death has had a huge effect on my life but I found that in doing the research on him to be quite therapeutic. I do so want him well remembered.

Join us in remembering the children for whom the absence of a father never known has created a life-long sense of loss.

Toni Moore (née Wallis), daughter of Frank Wallis:

“What I do remember, as though it was yesterday, is the day the telegram came. My father is still with me, I think of him often and still feel so sad that we were denied that important growing up time together, and that he never got to know his grandchildren and their families. He gave his life, so that we were able to live freely, to do whatever we wanted and go wherever we wanted.”

Join us in remembering the parents of those very young men who they never got to see grow up, get married or have children of their own.

Niece of Owen Flynn, Patricia Tomlinson (née Flynn):

” Owen Flynn loved going to the movies. He was a big fan of Bing Crosby and loved his version of the song ‘White Christmas’ which was released in 1941. I was 6 years old when my Uncle Owen died, but I remember it was a terrible blow to our family and my Grandmother was heartbroken. She could never listen to ‘White Christmas’ sung by Bing Crosby. It brought back all the pain.”

There were also those men who survived Normandy but did not return to the UK in time for Christmas 1944. Men like our Normandy Veteran Patron, Ken Hay MBE, who was captured and became a Prisoner of War, not returning home until April 1945, shortly before VE Day.

 Watch a clip of Ken on Sky News recalling Christmas Eve 1944.

Join us in becoming a Guardian of the British Normandy Memorial.

Your support will not only protect & maintain the Memorial for future generations; but it enables us to protect the memories of the 22,442…and ensure that the sacrifices endured by their families will not have been in vain.

At this time of year, we remember all our absent friends and honour their memory.