Some of Buriton's connections with the famous D-Day campaign, 70 years ago, were unveiled at a major conference in Portsmouth recently
Buriton has been chosen as one of four small Hampshire communities to take part in a special ?D-Day @ 70? project - and a major D-Day event is due to take place in the village on Tuesday 10 June.
In 2013 the D-Day Museum in Southsea, Portsmouth was awarded grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to find out more about the build-up and follow-up to Operation Overlord in 1944 - and they selected Buriton Village Association as a partner.
?We have known for many years that troops, mostly Canadians, had stayed in the parish as part of the build-up to D-Day,? explained Doug Jones, Chairman of the Village Association, ?but this project provided us with a great opportunity to find out more.?
As a result, villagers have been scouring War Office records in the National Archives at Kew and other sources to see what clues can be found.
In his presentation to the international conference Mr Jones explained that, although it has not yet been possible to identify exactly which Canadian units spent time in the parish, the research had revealed a series of fascinating local stories.
?By bringing all these stories together we are able to highlight the scale, complexity, secrecy and bravery of Operation Overlord 'through local eyes',? he said.
First-hand accounts from people in the Buriton area at the time describe:
- the build-up of troops in and around the parish
- parachuting into Normandy soon after midnight
- landing on the beaches later on D-Day
- the follow-up operation, including the Mulberry Harbours and
- an amusing account from someone 'with an inside track' who missed it all.
The work will result in an illustrated booklet along with exhibition materials and a resource pack for local schools.
?Buriton's work is an excellent example of how local communities can still add to the knowledge about this vital part of the Second World War,? said Andrew Whitmarsh, Curator of the D-Day Museum and Chairman of the special conference.
The findings will be revealed at an evening meeting in Buriton on Tuesday 10 June - almost exactly 70 years after the invasion force left the area.
At the meeting, the Curator of the D-Day Museum will give an overview of Operation Overlord and the D-Day campaign, local researchers will summarise their findings and it hoped that a local veteran who landed on the Normandy beaches on D-Day will also take part in the event.
The meeting, which will be held in Buriton church whilst the village hall is closed for repairs, will begin at 7.30pm and all are welcome.
If anyone can help the Village Association identify which Canadian units stayed near Buriton in 1944, or if anyone has any other information about D-Day in this area, they are encouraged to contact Doug Jones on 01730 231326 or email doug.pam@btinternet.com
More details about the recent D-Day Conference in Portsmouth can be found on the D-Day Museum website: http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/d-day/d-day-conference
