A D-DAY veteran wished cyclists a safe ‘bon voyage’ as they set off from Abingdon on a challenge to mark the 65th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.

Maurice Armstrong stood in the town’s Market Place as 18 riders saddled up and pedalled off on their trip to Argentan – Abingdon’s twin town, today.

The cyclists and three support staff from the Pathway Workshop, in Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, Oxford, were due to arrive in the town tomorrow – the date the invasion began in 1944.

Mr Armstrong, was just 20 when he came ashore in France in June 1944.

The Abingdon pensioner, of Manor Court, was serving in the Royal Navy when he landed on Juno Beach. The 85-year-old said: “I saw things that went on I don’t discuss with anybody. I just talk about the good times.

“When I think it about it, it makes me have a bit of a dry throat.”

The father of three, grandfather of seven, and great grandfather of three, said: “We headed for the beach at full speed, hit a mine and blew a hole in the shaft of the vessel.

“I was stuck there until the middle of August.

“We took ammunition and food to troops on the beaches throughout the time we were stranded.”

He added: “I think of what happened all those years ago every day.”

Mr Armstrong wished the cyclists a safe trip and said he hoped they did not encounter trouble.

The group, who aiming to complete the 300-mile trip within three days and are due to return tomorrow, were invited Argentan’s twinning society.

Richard Smart, who is a trainer at Pathway, said: “We will be met by Argentan’s Cycling Club who will escort us to the celebrations.

“Abingdon has a very active twinning society with five towns in four countries.”

Abingdon’s town mayor Patricia Hobby was also there.

The team are raising funds for the workshop, which makes garden furniture and other wooden items and gives training and employment to adults with physical and learning difficulties.

hcover@oxfordmail.co.uk