Veterans gathered at RAF Harwell to pay tribute at a commemoration parade for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

To mark the anniversary of the allied assault on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944, the Harwell branch of the Royal British Legion invited former soldiers and members of the local community to gather at the Memorial stone at the former airbase.

The Memorial stone stands at the end of the main runway of the former RAF Harwell, from which aircraft took off carrying troops and towing gliders as part of the D-Day operations on June 5.

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The aircraft took off carrying troops and towing glider on the eve of D-Day as part of ‘Operation Overlord’ to secure safe passage for those who followed.

A flying display from Robin Russell, of the Toger-9 Display team, opened the ceremony before 42 wraiths were laid.

The wreath laying was led by Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison as well as the National Vice-Chair of the Royal British Legion Lynda Atkins.

Local district and parish councillors, representatives from the local armed forces and the cadet forces and various veterans associations including the Glider Pilots Regiment Association also laid wreaths.

The Parachute Regiment Pony lead the marching on to parade while the service was taken by reverend Jeremy Parsons of Harwell Church.

The annual commemoration parade comes after a ‘festival of remembrance’ held at the former airbase on Wednesday, June 5.