Poignant commemoration marking D-Day to be held at Portsmouth memorial stone honouring those lost in Normandy

Emotional commemorations honouring those who served on D-Day will be held in Portsmouth this weekend.

Residents, serving personnel, veterans, and dignitaries, will be participating in the traditional ceremony at The D-Day memorial stone near Southsea seafront. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial on Saturday, June 6, followed by a two minute silence.

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The public will be expected to arrive from 10.30am near Canoe Lake, with the service beginning at 10.45am. A small parade of veterans, standard bearers, and members of the Armed Forces will perform a marchpast before the service.

The event is organised by Portsmouth City Council (PCC) alongside the Royal British Legion (RBL). D-Day marked the beginning of the allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, with Portsmouth playing an important role in the organisation and launch of Operation Overlord.

Speaking after last year’s service, PCC leader Steve Pitt said: “It's important that we commemorate the anniversary of D-Day each year to ensure we remember the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in this unparalleled military campaign in Normandy 81 years ago, which helped to hasten the end of World War II. They must never be forgotten, and the service helps to ensure that they never will be."