Bronze plaque № 54173

The Normandy D-Day Landings. 6th June 1944. On the evening of June 5th 1944, 3000 Commandos sailed from the Hamble river bound for France. They embarked from a pier opposite the Rising Sun in 36 Landing Craft of the 1st L.C.I.(S) Squadron based om H.M.S. Tormentor, Warsash. In the leading craft commanded by Lieut-Commander R.Curtis D.S.C., R.N.V.R. sailed Brigadier Lord Lovat D.S.O., M.C. with his piper. The skirl of the bagpipes and the long line of craft, their decks crowded with Commandos in green berets, set troops in the waiting transports cheering across the roads; the sound echoed from shore to shore of the Solent. Many brave men laid down their lives next day leading the assault on the beaches. They died for the liberation of Europe and the right of our people to live in freedom. The following Units sailed from the Rising Sun pier 1st Special Service Brigade (Commandos) consisting of: Brigade Headquarters, 3 and 6 Army Commandos, 45 Royal Marine Commando. The French Commando 1er Bataillon Fusiliers Marins. 4th Special Service Brigade (Commandos) 41 and 48 Royal Marine Commandos 4 Army Commando of the 1st Brigade and 46 and 47 Royal Marine Commandos of the 4th Brigade sailed independently for Normandy in Infantry Landing Shipswarsash

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