Torch of Commemoration visits the UK Parliament

Our Torch of Commemoration visited the latest destination on our Liberation 80 Lighting the Legacy Tour, the UK Parliament. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, who arranged the visit, was joined by MPs and Peers from all parties to show their appreciation of those who fought and died.

Joining Parliamentarians and CWGC staff at Portcullis House were 99 year old Ken Hay MBE, who fought in Normandy as a Private in the 43rd Essex regiment before being taken as a PoW, and CWGC Youth Ambassador Bill Squibb aged 16 from Emmanual School in Westminster. 

The Speaker welcomed MPs and Peers before being joined by Ken and Bill and CWGC Director General Claire Horton to light the flame. Parliamentarians including leader of the House Penny Mordaunt MP, Shadow Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP, CWGC Commissioner Philip Dunne MP and CWGF Trustee Kevan Jones MP took the opportunity to meet Ken and Bil and be pictured with the Torch before it continued to the next stage of its tour. 

Learn more about the legacy of liberation and the 80th anniversary of Normandy.