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D-Day 80 Remembrance Service

  • 06 June 2024
  • 2pm

On Thursday 6 June at 2pm the Royal British Legion will host a Remembrance Service to mark 80 years since D-Day within the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum.


Attending the service
The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds, for these visitors seating will be made available on a first come first served basis, from 1pm. Parking slots that will allow visitors to arrive and park at the Arboretum on the 6 June, are now all sold out. Only visitors able to present a valid parking ticket will be permitted to enter and park at the Arboretum. 

 

Visiting as a group
Groups are welcome to visit site on this day either on a pay-go basis or for our special D-Day 80 groups package. This special package can be booked by groups of 10+ and will take place in Aspects. This package costs £26.50 per person and will include; a two-course lunch, the service will also be relayed onto screens in Aspects but visitors are welcome to watch the service in the grounds, where seats will be issued on a first come, first served basis. To learn more about our D-Day package please call 01283 245 100 or email groups@thenma.org.uk. 

 

Attending the service with a D-Day / Normandy Campaign veteran
Alongside the service, the Royal British Legion will be welcoming eligible veterans and their families into a hosted event area. Registration for this element of the day has now closed. However, if you are attending the day with a D-Day / Normandy Campaign Veteran, and you have not registered to attend please do contact us on 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk to ensure that we are able to welcome you appropriately. 

 


 

D-Day 80 RBL Events

RBL will also be marking the 80th anniversary with events in Normandy at the Bayeux War Cemetery on 5 June and the British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, on 6 June. 

 

Find out more on D-Day 80 RBL events

Event FAQs

What time do I need to arrive by?

The Arboretum grounds will open at 9am, the D-Day service will commence at 2pm, and is expected to last for approximetly 45 minutes. We advise that visitors wishing to watch the service allow plenty of time for arrival on the day. 

Visitors being hosted by the RBL in their VIP area will be provided with detailed event timings in the weeks leading up to the event. 

Where will the service be held?
The service will be held close to the Naval Services Memorial, on the naval review, which is accessible via level pathways.  
I am a descendent of a D-Day or Normandy Campaign Memorial will I be able to attend the service?

The National Memorial Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds. Entry to the Arboretum is free, but booking your visit in advance is recommended to guarantee entry, and save on parking (£4 in advance, £6 on the day). Book parking. 


Please note on the day, only registered D-Day / Normandy Campaign veterans and their family guests will be permitted into the RBL hosted event area. 

I am a veteran from another campaign will I be able to attend the service?

The National Memorial Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds. Entry to the Arboretum is free, but booking your visit in advance is recommended to guarantee entry, and save on parking (£4 in advance, £6 on the day). Book parking. 


Please note on the day, only registered D-Day / Normandy Campaign veterans and their family guests will be permitted into the RBL hosted event area. 

Will there be seating provided in the service area?
Seats will be provided in the service area for use by members of the general public wishing to participate in the service, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The service area will not be open before 1pm. All visitors being hosted by the RBL will have reserved seating.
Can I bring a standard to parade on D-Day?
Due to the limited space that will available on the day, only invited standards will be permitted to participate in the D-Day service. 
Will there be a parade on D-Day
We will not be incorporating a parade into our D-Day service. 
I am a member of the general public, do I need to book a ticket to attend the service?
The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds, for these visitors seating will be made available on a first come first served basis. Entry to the Arboretum is free, but booking your visit in advance is recommended to guarantee entry, and save on parking (£4 in advance, £6 on the day). Booking parking. 
I have a blue badge, where will I need to park?

Car Park A will be reserved for blue badge holders, spaces will be issued on a first come, first served basis. We will also be operating a park and ride facility from Car Park B on this day, which is located a short walk from the Arboretum, along Croxall Road, all other cars will be directed to this area upon arrival.

How far away will the service be from the Remembrance Centre?
The service will be held close to the Naval Services Memorial, which is approximately 300 metres from our Remembrance Centre.
Will the service go ahead in the event of inclement weather?

As an outdoor venue our events and Remembrance services continue to take place in the event of inclement weather.

Can I bring my dog?

Whilst dogs are permitted on a short lead at the Arboretum, we do expect the area around our service will be busy, and therefore would advise that if it is possible, you leave your dog at home on this occasion. Our service will also be broadcast on a large screen in Heroes’ Square.

Working assistance dogs are permitted in all areas of the Arboretum.

1944: What's Your Connection?

In 2024 we will mark 80 years since D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battles of Monte Cassino, Kohima and Imphal. Over the course of the year we'll be marking these important anniversaries with a series of events, activties and exhibitions, that will remember and celebrate those who lived during this time. 

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