Final event of Normandy Veterans’ Association
Lord Astor and Mark Francois joined D-Day veterans and their families for a special service at Westminster Abbey
![Lord Astor talking to Normandy Veterans at Westminster Abbey [Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown copyright]](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a621fb6ed915d266017ad81/s300_DDC-14-275-10g.jpg)
Lord Astor talking to Normandy Veterans at Westminster Abbey
The Normandy Veterans’ Association (NVA) is made up of those who took part in the 1944 invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe
The group have decided to disband due to dwindling numbers and Lord Astor of Hever and Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois were among around 600 people who gathered for the service, which marked the last formal event of NVA.
The service featured the laying up of its national standard at St Margaret’s church, which is in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
Lord Astor said:
This poignant service was a fitting finale in the long and important history of the Normandy Veterans’ Association.
For decades the association has united those who took part in the 1944 invasion. While the association has decided to disband, the efforts and sacrifices of those who fought for the liberation of Europe will not be forgotten.
Normandy Veterans Jim Radford, George Batts and Ken Sturdy outside Westminster Abbey [Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown copyright]
Every summer the NVA has returned to the same French beaches to honour their fallen comrades. But this year’s commemorations of the D-Day landings was the last to be officially marked by the association. The events marked 70 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy – the largest amphibious assault ever launched.
The Ministry of Defence supported a range of major commemorative events, both on the French coast and in the UK, working with a number of stakeholders including the NVA.
Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois talking to a Normandy Veteran [Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown copyright]
Around 43 Normandy veterans, and Brigadier David Baines and His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, joined other invited guests for the church service today at noon.
NVA secretary George Batts, 89, said:
The service was phenomenal but in a way heart-breaking because it was our very last event. It was a lovely service and they did us proud, but we are all old codgers now.
The NVA will formally disband on 21 November. The standard will remain in a prominent position in the church in honour of all the veterans, in particular those who lost their lives in Normandy.