It's been 80 years since war heroes displayed unimaginable bravery in Normandy - and emotions were running high in Redcar today as hundreds remembered their sacrifices.
Fishing boats, military vehicles, flares and pyrotechnics re-created a war scene on the sand on Thursday morning as a special reconstruction got underway to honour the heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II.
June 6, 1944, saw 156,000 young men dodge flying bullets and fight off opposing troops on the beaches of Northern France - and little did they know it would play a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from the Nazis.
From toddlers watching from their prams to elderly veterans with their flags held high, several generations came together to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives in the town for the event.
Onlookers took in the poignant scenes from the Esplanade, which began with loud bangs and gunshots as flares were set off from several fishing boats.
A parade, led by Standard Bearers and veterans, then made its way up the beach and along the Esplanade before a short service saw Redcar fall silent as crowds remembered the fallen.
“It’s just what the lads did for us,” 85-year-old Rita Allday told The Northern Echo, as she got emotional about the brave heroes' sacrifices during the war.
The Marske resident said it was “very important” to remember their bravery - and loved seeing so many flock to the town to pay tribute: “It was absolutely fantastic. And the people and the youngens that are down here, it was brilliant.”
John Shotter, 68, mirrored Rita’s thoughts, adding how “we need to remember and our children need to remember” as he watched a short service at the end of the parade, which took place outside the Redcar Beacon.
The Redcar man said: “So many people gave their lives and it’s not done easy is it? I just don’t think it should be forgotten, it’s like a lot of things with the war.
“[There is] not only D-Day, there’s the Holocaust and everything. We need to remember and our children need to remember.”
Justine Fowler, 52, was also emotional as she watched on from the Esplanade on Thursday. The Redcar mum explained: “I still have my father-in-law who is 97 and fought in the war.
“My son’s grandad, Ian Fowler, was in the Green Howards and got shot seven times in 1988 and he is still here to tell the story.”
Redcar duo John and Mary Lee also came to watch the event, with 70-year-old John saying: “For me, born in 1953, it was a case of everything was about the war when I was growing up, in school, and everything like that.
“All the adults that I knew that had influence in my life have been influenced by the war, taking part in it, been part of it, and suffered as a result of it.”
68-year-old Mary added: “It means an awful lot. My father was in the RAF during the war, he was comms just based in the UK. But again, it is instilled into you. John used to go to army reserves and things and practice just in case it happens again.”
Also in attendance was Paula, from Redcar, who said; “I think it is brilliant. We should remember all of the people who fought for us and gave us the rights in our country so we can do and say what we want to do.
“I think they did a fantastic job giving us our freedom. [The display] was brilliant. It was lovely to see so many people coming out, especially on a working day during the week.”
The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Neil Bendelow said the event was a “special way to honour the heroes of the D-Day landings” whose “ sacrifice and bravery will never be forgotten.”
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Eric Howden BEM, chairman of Redcar Branch Royal British Legion, added: "This is a special day in our national history.
“Here in Redcar, we have the opportunity to not just commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day but in a very small way to replicate the actual event on our beach.
“We also need to remember our colleagues, families and friends who were involved in that massive assault on the Normandy beaches many of whom didn't return. This is our way of honouring those in our own small way. We ask people to come along and join us."
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