Remembering the Fallen: The CWGC in Normandy

80 years after The Longest Day, millions of people in the UK, Normandy and around the world will join to commemorate the men and women who gave their lives on D-Day, the Battle of Normandy and the other pivotal moments in the Second World War. 

Cemeteries and Memorials: Sacred Grounds of Remembrance

As we approach the major WW2 anniversaries in 2024, thousands of people will be making the pilgrimage to war cemeteries and memorials around the world to pay tribute to those that fell in the fight for liberation around the world. 

The centrepiece for 2024 will be the Normandy coastline. 80 years on from June 6 1944, visitors will join together to pay tribute to the fallen of Operation Overlord, the invasion of France and the Battle of Normandy. 

The CWGC cares for the Commonwealth fallen of the invasion at our sites across the Calvados department. There are more than 20 major cemeteries and memorials, including Beny-sur-mer Canadian War Cemetery and Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest CWGC site in the region with more than 4000 Commonwealth casualties commemorated there. 

Many more casualties are commemorated in smaller burial plots, churchyards and civil cemeteries across the region. 

Other Allied forces, such as the American soldiers who fell in battle, are buried in cemeteries operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission, whereas German soldiers are buried in cemeteries operated by the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge. 

Restoration and Conservation: Ensuring a Lasting Legacy

Completed in 1952, Bayeux War Cemetery is now more than 70 years old. Like all of our sites in Normandy, Bayeux is cared for by the staff of the CWGC, including teams of horticultural experts, stone masons and conservation specialists. 

Bayeux is often the focal point of D-Day commemoration events each year, with the anniversary of the landings marked with remembrance services and thanksgiving events attended by dignitaries and visitors from across the Commonwealth. 

Without the hard work of the CWGC staff who care for the graves and memorials in Normandy, these events could not continue. It is our duty to maintain and care for these sites so that the stories of those who fell in the fight for freedom are not forgotten. 

The Commonwealth’s Contribution

The fight for freedom in Normandy was a titanic effort by the Allied nations. 

Nations United: Commonwealth Forces in Normandy

The invasion of Normandy was an incredible example of coordination and organisation between the Allied forces. 

Representatives from across the Commonwealth and the Allied nations came together to ensure that the operation was a success. 

While the beaches were nominally divided between the British, American and Canadian forces, they fought alongside representatives from the forces of the Free French, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway and Belgium, while airmen and sailors from Australia and New Zealand played a vital role in the success of the operation. 

Profiles of Courage: Commonwealth Heroes

One of the Commonwealth representatives who served on D-Day was Brigadier James Hargest, who was the New Zealand Military Observer during the invasion. 

A veteran of both world wars, Hargest’s story is one that epitomises the courage and dedication to duty displayed by Commonwealth soldiers during the two world wars. 

Having already survived the Battle of the Somme and Gallipoli, Hargest reenlisted for the Second World War, serving in Greece and North Africa, before being captured by the German forces and held as a Prisoner of War in Italy. 

Hargest was able to escape via France and Spain and made his way back to Britain. Hargest took part in Overlord before he was ultimately killed in Normandy, aged 52, in August 1944. He is buried in the CWGC’s Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery. 

80th Anniversary Events and Ceremonies

The 80th anniversary of D-Day may be the final major anniversary where we are lucky enough to be joined by the veterans of the campaign. 

Commemorating the Anniversary: Events and Ceremonies

To mark the 80th anniversary, the CWGC will be holding events across the UK and Normandy, cumulating in events to mark the landings on 5th and 6th June in Bayeux. 

Discover our D-Day events

Official Commemorations: A Schedule of Events

Discover our events throughout the UK and France. Find out more about the stories of those who took part in the invasion and are now commemorated by the CWGC at our cemeteries and memorials in France. 

Explore our Lighting Their Legacy schedule

Looking Back: Previous Anniversaries

One of the earliest D-Day anniversaries at our CWGC sites in France coincided with the unveiling of the Bayeux Memorial on 5 June 1955. 

The unveiling ceremony included a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester, continuing the close ties between the CWGC and the Royal Family dating back to the establishment of the Imperial War Graves Commission by Royal Charter. 

These ties continue to last to the modern day. HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, attended the D-Day 75th anniversary events at Bayeux War Cemetery, alongside then Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019. 

The Legacy of World War 2: Looking Forward

The Importance of Remembrance: Reflections and Perspectives

While D-Day and the Invasion of Normandy are known as important steps towards the Liberation of France and Western Europe, leading to the eventually defeat of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, the lessons we can learn from these events are just as relevant in the modern era. 

Whether you choose to take a trip to our cemeteries and memorials around the world or discover more about the commemoration of the fallen of the world wars through our blogs, stories and videos online, it is important to take a moment to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for liberty 80 years ago. 

Passing the Torch: Youth Engagement and Education

A vital part of recognising the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Commonwealth who gave their lives during World War Two is inspiring the next generation. 

Without the interest of students and young people, the stories of the men and women commemorated by the CWGC and the sacrifices they made in the name of liberation will soon be forgotten. 

Our Lighting their Legacy roadshow is one of the many initiatives we’re running to engage and inspire the next generation, helping them to learn more about the history on their doorstep with an emphasis on the WW2 anniversaries of 2024 and 2025. 

Discover Lighting Their Legacy

Get Involved: Supporting the Legacy

Supporting CWGC: How You Can Help

By supporting the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, you can help us keep alive the stories of those who died in the world wars.

There are a number of ways you can choose to support us: leave a gift in your will, become a member or make a donation. Your contribution will help us equip our Eyes On, Hands On volunteers, support the training of our CWGC guides and enable us to inspire the next generation with our programme of talks and tours.

Find out more about how you can support us

Sharing Stories: Submit Your Normandy Memories

Do you have a family member of loved one who fought and died on D-Day or in the Battle of Normandy? Or do you have a passion for Second World War research? 

Share your stories on For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen, our online archive that lets you share the stories of the men and women of the world wars that are commemorated in CWGC cemeteries and on our memorials. 

Submit and share stories on For Evermore