Thank you to Peter Lloyd for sharing. Use the link below to view standard bearers honour and salute with homage and sounding of the “Last Post”-silence-“Reveille” to WW2 Veteran HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, on the day of his funeral at the Hall of Memory, Centenary Square, Birmingham, and to observe the national one minute silence at the war memorial in Dartmouth park, West Bromwich, 17th April 2021.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fbesa_standard_bearer/albums/72157718951319108
A follower of the Trust (John) is attempting to find the surviving members of the D-Day platoon of Lt. Jack Lauder A Company, 1st Battalion. Hampshire Regiment. His late father, Jonah Drake Farrar, and his younger brother Arthur served with the platoon. They are reaching out to find surviving members or their respective family members so that they may make a pilgrimage to Normandy in 2024 on the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. The photo below is of the Platoon.
Sadly Arthur was killed by mortar fire shortly after he landed on the beach and is buried in the Bayeux Military Cemetery (see below photo).
If you want to get in touch with John because you have a connection to this platoon then email info@spiritofnormandy.org.uk so we can put you in touch.
Below are three letters that his Father wrote to Lt. Lauder which informed him of events post D-Day, as Lt. Lauder was wounded during the assault and took no further part in the invasion.
Letter to Jack Lauder dated 3 October 1944 (1)
The Chairman, Trustees, veterans and families of the Spirit of Normandy Trust are greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to her family at this sad time of loss.
This year there will also be a new question asking if people have previously served in the Armed Forces. Too often, ex-military personnel and their families are a hidden population in society and in some instances are disadvantaged due to their circumstances (e.g. Veterans having health conditions that are a result from their service where additional support could be available).