A special service was held at St Wilfrid’s Church in Kirkby yesterday to commemorate the heroes of the D-Day landings 80 years ago. D-Day, or Operation Overlord, entailed the largest armada the world has ever seen sailing to the beaches of Normandy at the start of an Allied push to liberate Europe from the Nazis.
Overnight, between 5 and 6 June 1944, more than 18,000 paratroopers from Britain, Canada, the US and other allied countries landed in Normandy to secure bridges and pave the way for the beach invasion that would follow hours later. One of the British paratroopers who landed in Normandy that day, John Fejfer, attended yesterday’s service. Fejfer, the grandfather of Ashfield District Council leader Jason Zadrozny, will celebrate his 100th birthday in early July.
Another liberation hero at the service was 97 year old Kirkby great grandfather Wladyslaw (Walter) Nazar. As we reported on Wednesday, Nazar was captured by German forces from his hometown in Poland and taken to Germany where he was put to forced labour for the Nazi war machine, eventually being taken to France to work on constructing concrete bunkers. He escaped and joined the partisans’ resistance movement, joining the US army after D-Day.
The chair of Ashfield District Council, Cllr Arnie Hankin, spoke of the tens of thousands of British and Allied troops who took part in the invasion, saying: “their courage, determination and sacrifice marked the beginning of the end of tyranny and oppression in Europe. As we gather here 80 years later, we remember those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. Their legacy is not only preserved in history, but also in the peace and liberty we enjoy today.”
He added: “It is our duty to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten; and that the lessons of D-Day continue to inspire and guide us. Today we honour the veterans who fought on those fateful beaches, and especially their families who support them, and all those who have dedicated their lives in the pursuit of justice and peace.
“We also extend our deepest gratitude to current members of our armed forces who continue to uphold the values for which many fought and died.”
The chief executive of Ashfield District Council, Theresa Hodgkinson, delivered a Bible reading from John 15: 12-14 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The acting vicar of Kirkby in Ashfield, the Revd Kevin Charles, was unable to attend the service, having been suspended by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham for unspecified “misconduct”. He recorded a reflection setting out the history and significance of the Normandy landings, which was played to the congregation.
“The importance of D-Day often overshadows the overall significance of the Normandy campaign”, he said. “D-Day was critical in establishing a bridgehead, but it was nothing but the first step.”
Walter Nazar was guest of honour at the service. The council’s interim communications manager, Paul Coffey, read Nazar’s story. Cllr Zadrozny spoke of the “honour and privilege” of being able to take part in commemoration events. He was particularly moved by being able to take part in a service with “my little granddad” – John Fejfer.
A Churchwarden from St Wilfrid’s, Kate Hurt, told the story of her father, Stoker 1st Class Joe Bennett, who had taken part in D-Day.
After an act of remembrance, which included the playing of the Last Post, a silent reflection, Reveille and the National Anthem, the flags of the British Legion and regimental associations were paraded out of the church, followed by Cllr Hankin and Walter Nazar and the rest of the congregation.
