Teenager's film triggers special honour for town's D-Day veterans - The Stratford Observer

Teenager's film triggers special honour for town's D-Day veterans

Stratford Editorial 26th Jun, 2014 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A TEENAGER’S D-Day project has led to veterans from Stratford receiving a special ceremonial honour in recognition of their service.

Stratford Town Council unanimously decided to mark the 70th anniversary of the famous landings by bestowing an ‘Honorific Designation’ on the men, women and civilians from the town who took part in the campaign.

Recipients of the award will be presented with certificates at a ceremony at the town hall in October, after which they are able to participate in civic parades and other formal occasions.

The council had initially hoped to honour the veterans by granting the Freedom of Entry to Stratford but was unable to as their service was for king and country rather than the town itself.




Coun Chris Wall – who first introduced the idea to the council – said the decision to confer an Honorific Designation was the best result he could have hoped for.

He also paid tribute to 14-year-old Alcester Grammar pupil Bill Jones, who produced a documentary about the veterans’ D-Day memories which was shown at a remembrance event earlier this month.


Coun Wall said: “Nothing would have been done if not for Bill Jones and his fantastic film. He brought this to our attention and we have decided to give him and his project our full support and we thought this would be the icing on the cake for him.

“It is so important we commemorate our veteran’s service, in particular with the Second World War as almost everything we enjoy today, from education to the NHS and the welfare state, is as a result of the allied victory.”

He added he would now be encouraging other town and parish councils within the district to honour their D-Day veterans in a similar manner.

Ahead of the October ceremony, the council is seeking the names and contact details of men, women and civilians who were born, raised or educated in Stratford and took part in the campaign.

Contact Coun Wall on 01789 508396 for further information.

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