it made me realise we were in a war. it wasn t an exercise or rehearsal or training we were there and anything can happen and i was scared. many veterans have now crossed the channel to attend tomorrow s commemorative events at the british normandy memorial in ver sur mer. poignant and powerful, a chance for all of us to remember and say thank you. tim muffett, bbc news. it is really going to be a special couple of days here on the south coast of england and over in normandy, especially tomorrow. all of it will be covered on breakfast and across the bbc and i will tell you shortly about where you can catch the events, including this commemoration on southsea common. it looks like the weather will be all right today. it is a lovely start to
shine down on those veterans today as we gather here on southsea common for this very special service along with military top brass of 2024, the royal family will all be here to see this ceremony, hosted by dame helen mirren live later this morning. just down the coast from here in portsmouth, carol can tell us how it is looking for portsmouth and the whole country. good morning, indeed, it will be a dry day here in portsmouth. we have sunshine, a chilly start, not a lot of breeze, i must say. it is quite pleasant. i want to take you back to this day 80 years ago and show you a still photo taken as the troops were preparing to leave. we can see exactly what i m talking about. of the 160,000 troops who landed in
good morning from southsea common. exactly 80 years ago today, portsmouth was the headquarters and the main departure point for the military and naval units heading across the channel to sword beach on the normandy coast. and this morning this specialty built arena, just yards from the shore, will host royalty, politicians, military top brass, but crucially d day veterans and theirfamilies for a spectacular and poignant show in memory of that day injune 1944. that morning, troops who d been camped in the woods just outside portsmouth. they emerged and clambered into waiting boats to begin theirjourney across the channel. they had planned and practised in secret. but now it was real they were about to embark upon the most ambitious, audacious military operation
three children took in the thousands of messages that have been left by supporters and well wishers. rob died on sunday at the age of 41, nearly five years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of d day the landing of thousand of uk and allied forces troops on the normandy coast. this moring, jon is in portsmouth where commemorations are due to get under way. we can see the sun coming up. the weather looked great and the scene is set for special commemorations. indeed. good morning from southsea common. in portsmouth. a beautiful day and the stage is set. this specially built set for a moment of national