D-day and the Battle of Arnhem: 75th Anniversaries

Debate between Baroness Goldie and Lord Ricketts

Tuesday 11th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ricketts (CB)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reference to the Normandy Memorial Trust, of which I am the chairman. I can report to the House that we have secured an inspiring site looking down over Gold Beach, and we will be holding a first ceremony to inaugurate that site, although not yet the full memorial, on the anniversary of D-day next year. Does the Minister agree that a British national memorial bringing together the names of all those who fell under British command, alongside the Commonwealth war graves, will bear an important message to future generations about the sacrifices of those who made our freedoms in Europe today possible?

[Baroness Goldie]

I do agree. None of us will ever forget the momentous contribution made by those who fought and died during the Normandy campaigns, and the unique—it is unique—British D-day Normandy memorial recognises in a fitting manner that enormous contribution.