CWGC launches Torch of Commemoration at special event in London

We were delighted to launch Lighting Their Legacy at Horse Guards Parade in London, alongside Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

As the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches, we held our first Lighting Their Legacy event Horse Guards Parade in Westminster, London, followed by a reception at HMS Belfast. 

Guests – including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, our Chairman and Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, Johnny Mercer, Minister of State for Veterans' Affairs, and Col Dame Kelly Holmes MBE mil - witnessed the Torch of Commemoration being passed from veterans to young people at the events.

The torch represents the handing over of responsibility for the memories and lessons of the World Wars to younger generations in a bid to inspire engagement. Our Director General, Claire Horton CBE, passed the Torch of Commemoration to the Prime Minister, who then passed it to D-Day veteran, Peter Kent. 

Peter, who was serving with the Royal Navy on 6 June 1944, passed the torch to serving members of the armed forces, who then passed the torch to the next generation, represented by Eleanor Dufton, one of our volunteer guides who will be representing the CWGC at our events in Normandy next month. 

Today’s events were the first in a roadshow of public events and a new style of ceremonies at different locations across the UK in May, reaching hundreds of thousands of people across the country in an attempt to ensure the legacy of those who came before lives on.

The ‘Lighting Their Legacy’ event series has been created through building connections between veterans, serving military and young people at the heart of the programme, in a bid to improve inspire more interest in younger audiences and to improve education, encouraging young people to understand the lessons of the Second World War.

Claire Horton CBE, said:

“We are immensely proud to be here in London to hold the first of our ceremonies where veterans and young people are coming together to share their reflections on the lessons of the Second World War and hand over the torch of commemoration. We are at a turning point for the legacy of commemoration and events such as this are vital to maintain connection and inspire interest in honouring those who came before.

“We are grateful to the Prime Minister and Dame Kelly Holmes for joining us and supporting our efforts to ensure that the lessons of the First and Second World Wars are remembered, and that the importance of commemoration is understood by everyone, whether you have a direct and personal connection to the World Wars or not.

“Our mission is for the legacy of those who died fighting for our freedoms to inspire a world free from conflict. As we look ahead to D-Day 80, we are calling on everyone to reflect on the legacy of those who lost their lives in conflict and start a national conversation about the reasons why commemoration is important to you.

“You can learn more about the Second World War and share your stories on our For Evermore platform, and if you can, join us at Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy or spend time at a local CWGC site near you.”

Col Dame Kelly Holmes (MBE mil), who lit the torch on HMS Belfast, said:

“I’m honoured to be able to play my part in encouraging younger generations to take up the torch of commemoration through this event. It is a privilege to hear directly from young people and veterans with their reflections on what events like these mean to them.

“As we approach this significant anniversary, it is vitally important that we all understand and appreciate the heroic sacrifices made 80 years ago, and help ensure that we carry on their legacy for generations to come.”

Eleanor Dufton, a student at the University of Leeds and one of our volunteer guides, said: “It feels so special to be involved with this year’s D-Day events, to share the importance of its history with young people and to inspire them.

“I learned about D-Day in school and I am now studying French at University, as well as discovering more about the legacy of commemoration. I know how vital it is that we keep the memory of these significant moments in our collective history alive. I wanted to be part of this year’s commemorative events so that society knows that I, and young people like me, will not forget the sacrifice of people who gave their lives for our freedoms during the Second World War.”

More events will be held across the UK in the build up to the anniversary, cumulating in a number of special commemorative events at our cemeteries and memorials across Normandy.