THE 80th anniversary of D-Day will be marked in Truro in solidarity with several special events to remember the tens of thousands of allied forces who gave service in the Second World War.

At 8am on Thursday, June 6, town crier Lionel Knight will read the D-Day Proclamation on Boscawen Street, accompanied by Truro mayor Carol Swain and town clerk David Rodda.

Together they will remember the brave men and women who took part in the amphibious invasion that signalled the end of the Second World War, not only from the UK but also from America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Norway, Greece, France, Czechoslovakia, Rhodesia and Poland.

A formal wreath laying ceremony led by Truro Royal British Legion will take place at 11am at the war memorial in Boscawen Street.

Later that day at High Cross, there will be a tribute to Scottish piper William (Bill) Millin at 9.10pm, and at 9.15pm Cllr Swain will read an international tribute and light a memorial beacon (generously funded by Lionel Knight) to signify the light that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war.

Both events will coincide with similar tributes taking place up and down the country, on significant beaches in Normandy, and in the capital cities of the Allied nations that took part, from France and Belgium to the USA and New Zealand. 

The Truro events are part of the national D-Day 80 commemoration being held across the country to honour those who gave their lives in 1944 to secure peace and freedom.

Also known as Operation Overlord, D-Day saw over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 150,000 troops on the five Normandy beaches that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.

“This is a hugely significant anniversary,” said Cllr Swain. “I am very proud that our city will be joining cities and countries from across the world to commemorate the bravery of the many thousands of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our peace and freedom.”

Further information about the D-Day 80 event in Truro is available at www.visittruro.org.uk