Two Harrow veterans will share their stories of D-Day to mark the 75th anniversary at a ceremony in St Mary’s Church, Harrow on Sunday 9 June.
Harry Nodder, 97 and Edward Bentley, 99, will be speaking at the multi-faith civic service and sharing their personal memories of the battle. Simon Ovens, HM the Queen’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Harrow, said this will be a ‘rare chance to hear from two of those heroes who delivered freedom to the world’.
Councillor Nitin Parekh, Harrow Mayor, will be attending the event and urged others to attend the ‘special and unique ceremony’: ‘We must all value the importance of peace and freedom for the sake of future generations’. The service will be multi-faith, and will include Hindu and Muslim readings and clerics. Around 200 cadets will be taking part.
Simon Ovens, HM the Queen’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Harrow, organised the event, and has emphasised the importance of keeping the memory of the battle alive. He said: ‘We are privileged to have two inspiring men coming along to tell us first-hand what it was like all those years ago. This is a rare chance to hear from two of those heroes who delivered freedom to the world.’
Ovens continued: ‘My own grandfather didn’t like to talk much about his experiences but I was fortunate to hear some of his stories. It is so important that as many people as possible, especially our younger generations, have the opportunity to know and understand the history that went before us.’
The order of the service will be as follows:
2.30pm: Assemble at The War Memorial Building, Harrow on the Hill (main entrance on High Street through wrought iron gates)
2.40pm: Civic Procession to form up at War Memorial Building
2.50pm: Procession leads off uphill for St Mary’s Church, at the top of Church Hill
3-4.15pm: Service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day Landings WWII
(Image Credit: Harrow Council)
By Varsha Patel.
