Coventry war veteran makes pilgrimage to Holland and Belgium

[dutchman]

A Coventry veteran has taken a pilgrimage to show his respect to those who lost their lives following the Normandy Landings in 1944.



Last month Dennis Davison, chairman of the charity Normandy Day UK, travelled to Jonkerbos War Cemetery in Holland and Antwerp in Belgium.

The purpose of the trip was to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Europe during the Second World War and to acknowledge the friendship between Coventry and Belgium.

The 92-year-old’s first stop of his tour was Jonkerbos War Cemetery where he lay a wreath and visited the grave of a Coventry man, Stanley Buckley , who was killed near Nijmegen shortly after his 19th birthday.

Dennis then visited Antwerp where he presented the Mayor of the city with another wreath on behalf of the city of Coventry.

Dennis said: “There is a significant similarity between Coventry and Antwerp. Both were flattened by bombs.”

He added: “It was a long journey and quite tiring.”

Dennis said it is important to remember those who gave their lives for peace. He said: “As we go about our daily lives, don’t take it for granted. Always remember those who paid the ultimate price.”

Normandy Day UK is a local charity which aims to “advance the education of the public about the history of the Second World War and in particular, the landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944.”

On Friday June 12, the charity, along with Blesma (The Limbless Veterans military charity) is hosting a ‘Meet the Heroes’ dinner at the Britannia Hotel in Fairfax Street.

The evening will start at 7.30pm with a number of special guests attending, including MOBO nominee Sandra Godley and endurance athlete Paddy Doyle, holder of multiple world records.

Tickets are priced at £25 and can be bought on the door, from Carey Stringfellow, on 07887 374002 or by emailing meettheheroes@hotmail.com.