D-Day 80th anniversary: Bradford man's pride at his hero dad

The Normandy landings of June 6, 1944, were the largest seaborne invasion in history and laid the foundations for the Allied victory in World War Two.

Troops from the UK, US, Canada and France attacked German forces on the coast of northern France.

A total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed and more than 5,000 were wounded.

Eric Lorriman, who used to live in the Manningham area of the city, was one of the survivors of that most daring and dangerous of war operations.

Today, Eric's son Gary, of Harden, near Bingley, will join the nation's citizens in paying tribute to his dad and all other D-Day heroes, eight decades on.

Gary told of his deep pride in his dad (Image: Mike Simmonds/Newsquest)

Gary said: "My father landed on the British Gold Beach, as part of the Normandy Landings, when he was in his early-20s.

"He was a private with the 56th Infantry Brigade.

"He was only a young man, but he was already an experienced soldier by D-Day.

"He'd previously fought in the Battle of El Alamein in North Africa in 1942.

"After D-Day, he followed the enemy right through to Germany until the surrender, returning home in 1945 when I was four-years-old."

Eric is remembered very fondly (Image: Mike Simmonds/Newsquest)

Gary said he "hardly got to know" his father in those early years as he was away fighting for his country.

"My mum was at home looking after me, not knowing if my father would be coming home," he recalled.

"Obviously there wasn't a lot of correspondence while all this was unfolding.

"Thankfully my father did return home.

"When I was older, he spoke about his experiences during wartime a lot.

"He said he was lucky at D-Day.

"A lot of men, sadly, were not."

Eric was 79 when he died in 1999.

Gary, who is 83 this year, said: "I'm really proud of my father.

"He was one of the men who played a role in bringing about victory; he was one of the men who helped to bring about the end of World War Two.

"I'll be thinking of my father a lot today, like I do all the time.

"I'll be visiting my sister and celebrating his memory."

Gary said it was important for the younger generation to know about historical events such as D-Day.

"I've got grandchildren and great-grandchildren," he added.

"My grandchildren know all about my father. My great-grandchildren are a bit too young at the moment.

"I have my father's medals and they will be passed on down the generations in the future.

"We must never forget that many have fought - indeed many have paid the ultimate sacrifice - for the freedoms and peace we all enjoy today."

D-Day events across Bradford district

Events will take place across the Bradford district today to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Bradford City Hall will be lit up in red, white and blue and a short wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Bradford Cenotaph from 11am.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Beverley Mullaney, and Reverend Duncan Milwain, from Bradford Cathedral, as well as representatives from the Royal British Legion, will take part.

There will be a short prayer and those gathered will observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of all those who took part in D-Day.

Cllr Mullaney said: "It is important that we keep alive the memory of all those who took part in the D-Day landings.

"Their sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.

"All are warmly welcome to attend to pay tribute to all those who served."

Meanwhile, Bingley Remembrance Group and Bingley Town Council will hold a commemoration in Bingley Market Square.

It will start at 8.30pm and end with a reading and the lighting of a special D-Day 80 beacon at around 9.15pm.

The bells of All Saints Parish Church in Bingley will join in with the national Ring Out for Peace, which will take place at 6.30pm.

There will also be an event at Keighley Town Hall Square organised by Keighley Town Council.

This will include 1940s-style music and entertainment from 6.30pm, and a beacon will also be lit by the cenotaph at 9.15pm.