THE 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings has been commemorated in Crediton. 

Town Crier Kevin Payne, Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable and Crediton RBL President Henry Parker in Crediton Town Square for proclamation
Town Crier Kevin Payne, Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable and Crediton RBL President Henry Parker in Crediton Town Square for proclamation (Crediton Town Council)

Town Crier Kevin Payne delivered the proclamation in the Town Square on the morning of Thursday, June 6. 

Crowds gathering
Crowds gathering (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Before noon, children at Landscore and Hayward’s primary schools and Queen Elizabeth's School read the “D-Day Heroes” poem. 

Classic cars
Classic cars (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

In the evening, crowds gathered in Beacon Park for the lighting of the beacon accompanied by 1940s music from Crediton Town Band, a selection of classic cars and refreshments. 

A vintage car
A vintage car (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable delivered a short speech and Queen Elizabeth’s School student Bella Gurney read the tribute. 

Bella Gurney reading tribute in front of lit beacon with Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable, right
Bella Gurney reading tribute in front of lit beacon with Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable, right (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Crediton RBL Branch President Henry Parker then lit the beacon, with help from a local firefighter, at 9.15pm, precisely the same time as others across the nation and Europe.  

Two-minute silence
Two-minute silence (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

A two-minute silence then followed. 

D-Day refers to the major Allied invasion of Normandy during the Second World War. It is the largest amphibious invasion in history.