Community & Sponsorship
25. June 2019

D-Day 75th Anniversary Tribute

Bott help the local community provide a special tribute for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day

Our UK manufacturing facility is based in Bude, on the rugged coast of North Cornwall. The town played a special role during the 2nd World War, as men from the 2nd Battalion US Rangers, trained on our large beaches in preparation for the D-Day landings. Bude was chosen for its tall cliffs and coastline, similar to those they would encounter in Normandy. The Rangers were billeted with local families whilst they trained, then packed up overnight and left, having a huge impact on the community. The men were led by Colonel James E. Rudder, one of America’s most decorated soldiers. Following their actions at Pointe du Hoc on 6th – 8th June 1944, ‘Rudder’s Rangers’ suffered a seventy percent casualty rate. Of those who served in the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day, seventy-seven were killed and 152 wounded. Although they sustained heavy losses, the attach was a complete success.

As part of the 75th Anniversary commemorations, the Bude at War committee wanted to create a remembrance installation, planting hundreds of white crosses in front of the War Memorial on Shalder Hill. The white crosses represent the military cemeteries in Normandy, where more than 10,500 young men lost their lives. Bott were approached by Clair Roberts and Bill Williams from the committee to see whether we could support in any way. Simon Willshire (Design Manager), organised the fabrication of 660 crosses, punched out from mild steel and then powder coated white. These were donated to the committee, who along with local volunteers, planted the crosses at 6.00am on Thursday 6th June, exactly 75 years after the first landings began.

Emotional, reflective and poignant

Clair Roberts (Bude War Committee) who originated the plan for the installation said:

I can’t thank you enough for the crosses and the perfection in which they were laid. To say it was emotional, reflective and poignant that they should be laid at the same time the dawn raids started, is an understatement.

The D-Day 75 Memorial Service itself was held at 10.45 am, where wreaths were laid at the Ranger's Memorial Stone on Summerleaze Downs in Bude. Jeremy Thomson (pictured above), who works in the Production area at Bude facility, laid a wreath on behalf of the veterans who were away commemorating in Normandy.

Jeremy joined the Parachute Regiment in 1981. During the Falkland's conflict, he was one of the first ashore with the 2nd Battalion facing the first Battle of Goose Green. It was here where the Battalion lost their Commanding Officer 'H' Jones (VC). Jeremy's service lasted for 23 years, with a tour in Belize and 7 in Northern Ireland. His final deployment was to Kuwait, leading a 3 Para platoon in the invasion of Iraq, for which he was recognised with the Meritous Service Award. Now living a peaceful life in Bude, Jeremy is a member of the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team and has twice represented them as part of the Queen's Guard at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Greatest Generation' did for all of us

We asked Jeremy what the commemorations represent for him:

As part of the Parachute Regiment I was immersed in Regimental history. As a member of the Airborne Brotherhood I am friends with many other Veterans, some of whom are Normandy Veterans, so for me the act of remembrance is very much a personal event. It is the current generation that we must go the extra mile for to help them understand just what the 'Greatest Generation' did for all of us. The ability to stand and voice a protest unmolested, to vote freely for our leaders and to speak English. Among other things, it's all down to those brave men and women. The crosses that Bott provided enabled us to create a cemetery by the War Memorial in Bude. It was such a stark visual reminder, hopefully those that saw it will be reminded or be prompted to ask about those heroes, who sacrificed everything for them.

Thank you to Bob Willingham (Bude Mayor) and Chris Jones (Technical Advisor) for the pictures&nbsp;&amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBRWELTYMGM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">aerial footage</a>.<br><br>To learn more about how Bott supports its local communities, please click <a href="/about-bott/community-support/">here</a>.

Thank you