A Beacon of Light

As in previous years our club was invited by the Billericay Town Council to attend the Commemoration of D-Day, celebrated as usual with the lighting of the Beacon on Sun Corner.  This year was even more poignant than usual as it commemorated the 80th. Anniversary of that event.

Parades and Performances

At the ceremony on June 6, 2024 the club was represented (in President Roger’s absence) by President-Elect Patrick and Club Secretary Brian, also present was past club member and Rotarian Brian Hughes (well known to club members and an occasional guest at our club – Editor) and Brian and Pat spent an enjoyable time in his company.

The commemoration began with a parade by RAF and Army cadets and local scouts and guide groups.
Town Council Chairman Cllr Mark Thomas gave a speech welcoming everyone to the event, followed by Vice Chairman Councillor Devlin, who gave a history of D-Day during which he spoke about Trooper Leonard Kemp from Billericay who was killed, at the age of only 20, during the landings.

Bravery and Sacrifice

Youth Town Councillors George Wood and Alex Tomov read out an international tribute and we were then honoured to have both the Citizen of the Year, Dave Sweet and the young Citizen of the Year Sophie Vaidya, light the beacon together in honour of those whose bravery and sacrifice on D-Day 80 years ago gave us our freedom today.

A bugler played the last post, followed by a 2-minute silence and then reveille.

The Town Council thanked all that took part, including the uniformed organisations, service organisations such as us, all those who helped with the preparation for the event, and all the residents that also came along to this very poignant commemoration.

Unlike previous years, the weather was clement, and Secretary Brian commented “It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening which reflected well the solemnity of the occasion and in which we were privileged to participate.”