80th Anniversary of D-Day

On 6th June 2024 it’ll be 80 years since Allied troops invaded France and began the liberation of Europe. There will be a whole day of events to celebrate this and remember the sacrifices made by the wartime generation, both in combat, and at home.

The poster below sets out the full day’s programme. It will start with a solemn Remembrance service at the War Memorial, including the pupils of Pembridge CE primary School, and the Royal British Legion. It will culminate with an evening of live music and dancing at the Parish Hall, and the lighting of a beacon forming part of a national chain of celebration.

There’ll also be lots of opportunities to eat and drink with the New Inn serving a special fish and chips lunch; a 40s style afternoon tea organised by St Mary’s Church; and in the evening The Beefy Boys will be on hand. Portrait of Pembridge, in conjunction with the Parish Hall, is staging an exhibition on Wartime Pembridge. While not in the front line of bombing raids, life in Pembridge was far from normal between 1939-45.

Over 145 children made Pembridge their temporary home as evacuees. Farmers were under huge pressure to produce more food and subject to severe penalties if they didn’t. Land girls, POWs, and school children all had a role in the “Dig for Victory” campaign to keep Britain fed. We’ll be telling some of their stories.

We’d also like to hear your stories, the roles your family members played. While those who made the ultimate sacrifice are rightly remembered on our War Memorial, many others also served and survived. As part of our exhibition, we want to commemorate them too. Did you have a parent, grandparent, or uncle who served in World War II? If so, please let us take a copy of any photos and a few lines to remember their sacrifices for us. Please email:

portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk or call 07342 625796.