TRIBUTES were paid to fallen soldiers who fought in a battle of unprecedented scale that turned the tide of the Second World War marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day in and around Swindon.

A small crowd attended a wreath-laying and commemoration service at Royal Wootton Bassett’s war memorial with a new cry from the town crier and a short sermon from Rev Oliver Blease.

He said: “We stand here in the shadow of a gigantic historical event but the centre of all things is the personal experience of the people who fought there.

“Bonds fused in the furnace of war became lasting friendships that endured throughout peacetime.

“The message from this is that love wins – what began as a terrifying challenge to the peace and stability of the whole world ended in the defeat of evil and the strength of love conquered all.”

The nearby town hall museum showcased an exhibition co-organised by volunteers including historian Malcolm Holland about the American soldiers of 452QM Company, which was stationed in the town and took part in the second wave of fighting in Normandy.

One soldier reportedly wrote about his time in Bassett: “People don’t know what to think about us Yanks but after a while I think they realised we’re not all that bad. I spent many enjoyable nights in the Waggon & Horses playing darts and drinking a few bitters.”

Another display tracked the year-long effort to rejuvenate the Royal British Legion’s memorial garden in the Bassett cemetery. Royal British Legion member Sue Hughes oversaw the project, which involved more than 60 volunteers and 400 hours of work with support from 13 organisations.

Sue said: “This was a massive undertaking, moving metal, replacing grass, making plaques and benches, transforming the garden entirely.

“We planted roses in the town colours and the first one bloomed on the 75th D-Day anniversary – a yellow rose, symbolising peace, which is lovely.

“This is our way of not only remembering but saying thank you to those who gave up time with their families and risked their physical health and mental health to serve their country.

“The service was very poignant and moving.

“The reverend’s sermon was very relatable because it brought home the fact that people like us who exhibited bravery beyond anything we can comprehend.”

The exhibition can be viewed every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 12pm until next Easter and extra volunteers would be welcome.

The Royal British Legion’s Swindon town centre pop-in shop hosted a coffee morning, which included a two-minute silence followed by mayor Kevin Parry.

Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton cutting the ribbon of a new display created by Ferndale Community Primary School pupils.

Clay footprints from a wartime boot and the children’s feet circled poetry written by Year 5 and 6 pupils imagining what it would be like to land on the beaches facing a barrage of gunfire and aerial bombardment.

Vice-chairman of the Swindon Royal British Legion branch Phil Nobbs said: “It’s so important that schoolchildren understand what their ancestors have done.

“Iif they don’t know about it, it will be forgotten and it’s essential that their sacrifice is always remembered past even the 200-year anniversary.”

Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club member Bob Humphries said: “The display is fantastic, it’s nice to get the local community involved and it helps to get across the unbelievable enormity of the operation.”

Mrs Troughton said: “It was the most complex assault that’s ever happened. Great Britain was greatly helped by thousands of Americans and Canadian troops, fighting alongside each other and losing comrades, where a great mutual respect was born and a lasting friendship was made.”

Coun Parry added: “It’s a great honour to be here.

“The mission given to these soldiers was one of the most challenging ever carried out.

“We must never forget these battles.”

RAF Association welfare officer Hugh Thompson said: “The sentiment ‘for your tomorrow, we gave our today’ is applicable to what happened on those beaches.

“It’s extremely important that society does not forget it.

“D-Day was the beginning of the end of the Third Reich and there was a lot of suffering and grief and loss to break the Nazis’ stranglehold on Europe.”

Central Swindon North Parish Council hosted a D-Day lunch club at Pinetrees Community Centre run by volunteers at the centre café, with army uniforms and memorabilia on display under bunting, popular music from the wartime era playing, and a menu printed on printouts of ration books.

Writing for the Adver today, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “The bravery of the young men who took part in D-Day is phenomenal.

“The scene that greeted them as they left the landing craft or landed behind enemy lines is unimaginable.

“I am in awe of the unwavering sense of duty they showed, which drove them on despite the overwhelming danger – as well as their humility in the years since. Their courage should be a lesson to us all.”