Wrexham D-Day veteran part of memorial event

It was on Tuesday, June 6, 1944, that Operation Overlord saw thousands of Allied soldier’s invade the beaches of Normandy, the largest of its kind in history, to begin the liberation of Europe from the occupation of Nazi Germany.

Among the men taking part that day was Ted Edwards, a 19-year-old from Rhostyllen, who said his only fear was the unknown of what might await their unwelcome arrival.

Ted, front row, third from right is pictured here with other local war veterans at an event at Memorial Hall on Thursday

Mr Edwards, now 94, and still living in Rhostyllen, said yesterday’s event, which took place at Wrexham Memorial Hall, was an important way to remember those who had not been as fortunate as him to make it back and those that did but have since passed away.

He said: “Myself and Dennis Young are the only two D-Day veterans left now (in Wrexham).

“When I took over as Chairman of the Normandy Association there was maybe 35 to 40 of us at every meeting but they all dwindled away, and obviously there’s no way of getting any new members!

Ted Edwards with Pauline Davies, who is the daughter of the late Sgt Major Frederick Robert Davies

“We’ve had associate members over the years to keep it going as long as possible and it will carry on until the last man standing, and now, here I am.”

Fellow D-Day veteran Dennis Young, 95, is now living at Pendine Park’s Hillbury House care home, and was set to join Ted and other military veterans at a special reception at the War Memorial Club yesterday evening.

For Mr Edwards, the training he received from the army gave him the mentality he needed to survive what would have been for many, the most frightening experience of their entire lives.

He added: “We all went as one. In the training, or in the army in general, the psychology is that you are the main person in the British Army.”

“So we were all together. We didn’t know what was in front of us and that was the only fear.”

“The spirit was actually fantastic. Mentally, it had been built up that you’re the most important part of the operation.

“I remember being in Clacton-on-Sea in the days leading up to it and we got the call to start moving out at about two in the morning.

“We were a bit apprehensive obviously because we didn’t know what was in front of us. That was the worst part of it. If you know what’s in front of you, you’re more prepared for it.”

Of the landings themselves, Mr Edwards said he didn’t have any reason to believe they would play such an important role in the war and in wartime history in general, and that he was there to just “do his job”.

He added: “I was on board a medical ship. Those in front of us had gone in ok. But when it was our turn to drive off, a couple of the trucks got stuck in the sand. Luckily there were a couple of tanks available and they managed to pull us out and then we just carried on.

“When we got there, you don’t think about the danger, you only think about that after. We were lucky.”

After the war was won, Mr Edwards said the thing he missed most was a proper bed and when he finally did arrive home, that was one of the things he was most looking forward to.

He said: “For 12 months, I never slept in a proper bed. When we got into Germany, we took over their barracks, and after the war had finished I spent my time there as a driver around the headquarters.”

The Normandy veterans are widely regarded as heroes, with their brave and courageous invasion of the beaches of Northern France regularly referenced as being the turning point in the Second World War, but for Mr Edwards, he doesn’t quite see it like that.

He said: “I don’t think or consider myself to be a hero. The one’s that passed away, they were the heroes. They lost their lives so they were the real heroes.”

“We did our job and that’s it. The fact that I’m still here, well, I guess somebody up there must like me!”

A short service was led by Reverend Sam Erlandson from All Saints Church on Poyser Street at Wrexham Memorial Hall yesterday morning.

There was also a time for quiet reflection as those in attendance, who also included veterans of the Korean War, bowed their heads and wiped away tears as they remembered their lost friends and comrades.

The Memorial Hall, which was draped in Union Jack bunting, was the host for some post ceremony refreshments, with tea, coffee and cake being served as the veterans swapped stories, little knowing just how important the role they played in providing freedom for future generations.

Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Griffiths, paid tribute to the Veterans and said: “75 years ago today the D-Day landings by the allied forces secured the beginning of the end of World War Two.

“We thank those remaining veterans for their bravery and courage on that day and all our servicemen past and present who have always put their country first.”

n The Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion also held a Remembrance ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the the D-Day landings in Centenary Square yesterday.

The standards of the branch and the RAFA Club were on parade and the ceremony included the sounding of Last Post and Reveille, the traditional two minutes’ silence and the laying of wreaths on the 1939-45 memorial.

A short service was conducted by Father Lee Taylor of St Collen’s Church.

Last Post was sounded by 14-year-old James Reardon, a Year 10 student at Ysgol Dinas Bran, while Reveille was sounded by Ben Thomas, 18., a member of Ifton Colliery Band who also plays occasionally with Llangollen Silver Band.