D-day heroes win lottery money for Normandy ceremonies

Published on Friday 20 March 2009 21:11

D-DAY veterans who want to attend the 65th anniversary commemorations in Normandy will be funded by lottery money, it was announced yesterday.

The Big Lottery Fund said it would pay for veterans to take part in ceremonies to mark the anniversary, whether in France or elsewhere.

The news came after Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, said he wanted to be "very much part" of this year's commemorations of the landings in Nazi-occupied France, which marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

Mr Brown also said he hoped there would be a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the sacrifice made by a "great generation of heroes".

His comments came after the government reversed a decision and said it would provide support for veterans who wanted to mark the landings on Normandy beaches.

The Ministry of Defence said it would make sure there was "appropriate British attendance" and "provide support so that veterans can participate", but it did not say what form this support would take.

The announcement was hailed as a victory for former service personnel after Kevan Jones, the veterans minister, said last year it was a "long-standing policy" to use public money only for landmark anniversaries, such as 25, 50, 60 and 100 years after major events.

The change of heart came after more than 300 people signed a petition on the Downing Street website urging Mr Brown "to give funding to those war veterans wishing to attend the 65th D-day anniversary in Normandy".

In a statement last night, the Big Lottery Fund said: "We are proud to be able to announce further financial support for veterans wishing to attend the 65th anniversary events overseas.

"Our offer includes Normandy veterans wanting to attend events in June of this year. But we want to extend our offer to all servicemen who saw action in other theatres during the Second World War. Full details will be announced next week."

It is understood Mr Jones will meet members of the Normandy Veterans' Association next week to discuss the issue.