24 May 2016

After being awarded with France’s highest honour in a special ceremony last week, the Veterans who took part in the biggest seaborne invasion in history will be visiting York Castle Museum to speak to the public about their experiences.

The Légion d’Honneur medals were awarded to 21 Normandy Veterans, 10 of which were from Yorkshire, the remaining 11 from different areas in the North of England.

A number of the Veterans, who are members of the York Normandy Veterans Association, will be visiting York Castle Museum on Friday 17 June 2016 for an informal event where members of the public can hear of their part in the Normandy Landings and the Second World War.

M Faye Prior, collections facilitator at York Museums Trust, said:

“The Légion d’Honneur was established 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte and remains the highest French accolade awarded for military and civil bravery. We are very honoured that a number of the veterans will be returning to York Castle Museum for their annual visit.

This is a rare opportunity for the public to have an informal chat with local Veterans of the D-Day landings and to hear their remarkable stories.”

Nick Beilby, who organises activities for the Veterans, said:

“Having recently returned from Normandy and then being awarded with the Légion d’Honneur medal, this event will give the public an incredible opportunity to speak to the people who made history and learn about how their part in the war shaped the world today.

The Veterans always enjoy visiting York Castle Museum. This is their world; they are surrounded by everything they are familiar with and they are always met with people who are eager to hear about their experiences.”

This informal event will run from 10:30am to 4pm on Friday 17 June 2016 and will take place in the Kirk Room at York Castle Museum. The event is included in the cost of admission and there is no need to book.