A spectacular weekend of events and exhibitions will be held at Torquay’s Beacon Quay and Princess Gardens to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. There will also be a commemorative mass flotilla with Royal Navy escort on Sunday 8th June.
The two concrete slipways at Beacon Quay in Torquay Harbour were constructed for the embarkation of American troops for Operation Overlord, the springboard for the Allied invasion of German-occupied Western Europe. The outer harbour slipway at Brixham was also used for this purpose. During the anniversary weekend we will remember the men who gave their lives in the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on Tuesday 6 June 1944.
Friday 6 June
10am Exhibitions open at Torquay Museum (open till 1 November 2014)
Using a mixture of rarely seen photos of wartime Torbay, together with uniforms, weapons and objects from World War II, this exhibition brings to life the impact of the world’s largest conflict on this small corner of Devon. Visitors can handle rifles, machine guns and helmets used by soldiers at the sharp end of this epic conflict, then view a selection of their uniforms. Top-secret documents can be seen, and the stories are told of Torbay’s involvement in the preparations for the D-Day landings, the American soldiers based in this area and how Torquay suffered during German bombing raids.
Saturday 7 June
10am D-Day exhibition and stalls open with military reenactments throughout the day at Princess Gardens.
11am – 12 noon Normandy Veterans Memorial Service and Parade at Beacon Quay and Haldon Pier. During the service maroons will be sounded for start and end of one minute silence.
11am Laying of wreath at Beacon Quay Memorial.
1pm-4pm P2000 Navy patrol boats open to the public on Haldon Pier, Torquay.
1 - 4pm D-Day Musical Tribute on the stage at Princess Gardens featuring:
1 - 1.45pm – Keedie, the English Riviera’s own girl with the golden voice.
2 - 4pm - The Rockabellas
combine stunning close harmony vocals with big band arrangements, featuring toe-tapping wartime tunes.
Sunday 8 June
10am D-Day exhibition and stalls open with military reenactments throughout the day at Princess Gardens.
10am-12noon P2000 Navy patrol boats open to the public on Haldon Pier, Torquay.
12 noon - 2pm - D-Day 70th Anniversary Musical Tribute from The New Squadronnaires live on stage at Princess Gardens
The New Squadronaires play to audiences all over the country with the music of the great swing bands of the 1940s including Glenn Miller.
2pm - D-Day Commemorative Mass Flotilla of around 100 vessels across Tor Bay starting from Torquay with Royal Navy Escort by HMS Pembroke and ending in Brixham Harbour.
5pm - iOrchestra Concert – Torre Abbey Meadows. Live Open Air Concert. Join the full Philharmonia Orchestra for a free open air Sunday afternoon concert for all the family.
Brixham Battery presents D-Day Remembered (also Sunday 8 June)
12 – 4pm with free entry, living history displays including WW1 And WW2 artefacts, guided tours of the buildings, grounds and war shelter tunnels.
Brixham Battery Museum Members will be taking part in the salute to the Flotilla as it reaches the Entrance to Brixham Harbour opposite Battery gardens. Members will be sounding an air raid siren and with the assistance of Brixham Yacht Club, a salute will be fired from the Gardens area.
NEW! Floating Museum in Torquay Harbour
There will also be a new warship attraction based at Torquay Harbour. The floating museum will be home to the beautifully restored military boats HMS Gay Archer, a Fast Patrol Boat launched in 1952, Humorist, a Derby Winners Class launched in 1943, and a Sea Plane Tender 437 launched in 1941. Visitors will be able to go on the vessels and enjoy their historic significance.