Bradford residents gather at Cenotaph to remember D-Day

Around 50 people assembled at the memorial for the service, which included wreath-laying and prayer.

Keith Webster, 90, laid one of the wreaths as did Councillor Bev Mullaney, the Lord Mayor of Bradford.

“June 6, 1944, was the biggest military warfare we’ve ever seen," said the Lord Mayor.

"It’s important that we remember all of the men who never got to see their family members ever again.

People gather at the Bradford Cenotaph to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (Image: Newsquest)

“They gave their lives so we could be free. They’re heroes and should never be forgotten.”

Cllr Bev Mullaney laid one of the wreaths at the Bradford Cenotaph today (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Webster, who served in an army catering unit, said: “Although I was too young, only 10 at the time, it was my generation.

“I very much remember the war,” he said.

“I remember one time when a German airplane flew over my house closely followed by three Spitfires.

People like Jeffrey Long from Bingley were among those who gathered at the Bradford Cenotaph today (Image: Newsquest)

“The plane crashed in Thornbury and I remember going to play in the wreckage.

“My dad served in the auxiliary fire service during the war when there were bombs dropping all over the place in Bradford.”

Flag bearers Brian Bilham and Chris Howlett stand at the Bradford Cenotaph today (Image: Newsquest)

Bradford flag bearer Chris Howlett, a member of the Prince of Wales’ Own Regiment of Yorkshire, said: “There’s not many left who served on D-Day but it’s our job to carry on in their memory.

“My Great Uncle Stanley Mills was a medic on D-Day. He came in three hours after it started and it was his job to put people back together. My dad Jack Howlett then came in six hours after the first wave.”

Flag bearer Brian Bilham, of Brighouse, said: “My dad was shuttling people from ships to shore on the D-Day landing, but he never spoke to anyone about it.”

From top left are flag bearer Brian Bilham, Stan Wood, flag bearer Chris Howlett and Gary Brentley (Image: Newsquest)

Stan Wood, 89, of East Bowling, said: “I was nine years old and I remember people talking to me about D-Day as a kid.

“I think it’s important that we remember as I’ve known a lot of people who have served in the armed forces.

“I did National Service, my father served and my son was in the RAF.”

Gary Brentley, of Bradford, said: “I’m here to represent my family. My father James Brentley was there on D-Day, my uncle James Benton was killed on D-Day and my son Liam Brentley was wounded in action in Afghanistan.

“Liam couldn’t come on this occasion. He said ‘I can’t do it dad because I’d be too upset’. He lost 14 of his colleagues in Afghanistan.”

The Rev Duncan Millwain, assistant curate at Bradford Cathedral, who said a prayer at the ceremony, told the T&A: “We feel events like remembering D-Day more keenly at the moment because it seems like there is always war in parts of the world.

“We feel it here in Bradford because of our diverse communities. Conflicts in Gaza and Eastern Europe are not distant wars. They affect our residents.”

A service was also held in Wibsey. 

A service was held in Wibsey (Image: Submitted)
Sean Charlton shared these photographs.

He said: "Wibsey cenotaph with the Wibsey veterans today.

"We will always remember them."