05-Nov-2024

2024: The year in pictures

A look back at the 80th anniversary year in pictures – from the building of the Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning to Veteran focussed events and the official commemorations.

A Message from Chair of Trustees, Lord Dannatt:

In this 80th anniversary year of the Normandy landings we have been reminded of the price that was paid on D-Day and in the months of fighting that followed. Many thousands of young men and women lost their lives so that freedom might be restored to Western Europe. At this Remembrance time we recall, with profound gratitude, their sacrifice and that of all those who have given their lives in the service of their country.

January 2024: Lord Richard Dannatt, Chair of Trustees and Dame Cressida Hogg, Chair of BAE Systems meet ahead of the construction of the Winston Churchill Centre (Credit: BAE Systems)

 

January 2024: Lord Richard Dannatt, Chair of Trustees and Dame Cressida Hogg, Chair of BAE Systems meet ahead of the construction of the Winston Churchill Centre (Credit: BAE Systems)

 

March 2024: Memorial Ambassador Stan Ford and former Group Captain Claire O’Grady meet at the Giants’ workshop in Oxfordshire

 

April 2024: Normandy Veterans gather for a media day at London’s Union Jack Club (Credit: Jane Franklin / BFBS News)

 

April 2024: The Giants’ journey to Normandy via Blenheim Palace (Credit: Pete Seaward)

 

April 2024: First look of completed Standing with Giants installation (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

April 2024: BBC Breakfast reveals the completed Giants installation for the first time

 

 

April 2024: Memorial Ambassador Mervyn Kersh is the first Veteran to see the completed Giants installation (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

 

May 2024: Memorial Ambassador Ken Hay MBE meets the Duke of Gloucester at Cavalry and Guards Club

 

April 2024: RAF Veteran Gilbert Clarke, one of the 9 Veterans attending a special event at the Calvary and Guards Club

 

 

May 2024: Memorial Ambassador Ken Hay shares his wartime stories with primary school children in Romford, London (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

6 June 2024: Sunrise on the 80th anniversary (Credit: Florence Marsac)

 

6 June 2024: The King speaks at the official D-Day 80 ceremony (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

June 2024: Completed Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

 

6 June 2024: Ken Hay reads the Exhortation at the Memorial (Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire)

 

6 June 2024: Katherine Jenkins performs at ‘D-Day 80: Remembering the Normandy Landings’ at the Royal Albert Hall

 

 

6 June 2024: The late D-Day Veteran Percy Chafer meets the Duchess of Gloucester at the Royal Albert Hall

 

September 2024: Saying goodbye to the Giants

 

September 2024:  Randolph Churchill, the great grandson of Winston Churchill and Second World War veteran Colin Bell visit the Memorial for the first time

 

October 2024: Cranwell Military Wives Choir performed by the D-Day Wall