D DAY COMMERATION SERVICE AT THE RAF HARWELL MEMORIAL STONE

On the Saturday nearest to the anniversary of D-Day, a parade and service is held at the RAF Harwell Memorial Stone at the Harwell Campus. The stone marks the departure point for Servicemen who were amongst the first to land on D-Day. This is organised by the Royal British Legion Harwell Branch and supported by the Harwell Campus management.

The Harwell Stone, photo by Frank Dumbleton

The inscription on the stone reads:

“THIS STONE MARKS THE END OF THE RUNWAY FROM WHICH AIRCRAFT OF No. 38 GROUP ROYAL AIR FORCE TOOK OFF ON THE NIGHT OF 5 JUNE 1944 WITH TROOPS OF THE 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION WHO WERE AMONG THE FIRST BRITISH SOLDIERS TO LAND IN NORMANDY ON THE MAIN ASSAULT FOR THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE”