MILITARIA

[SteveH]

ABOUT 30 blind veterans who were facing the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone will come together to enjoy traditional festivities in Llandudno.

The veterans will unite at the Blind Veterans UK Centre of Wellbeing in Llandudno to enjoy a lunch with all the trimmings before watching the King?s Christmas Day speech.

During their stay the veterans, who are from across the UK, will have to opportunity to take part in a host of festive activities from Christmas crafting and games to festive food tasting. There will also be carol singing and a visit to a Christmas fair.

Read the full article ........... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24005087.llandudnos-wellbeing-centre-offers-comfort-joy-blind-veterans/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Five brave men lost in plane crash to be remembered on anniversary of tragedy
Memorial service planned 80 years on from Conwy disaster

Everyone on board perished on the dreadful afternoon of February 15, 1944. The servicemen's fate has been marked periodically in the intervening years. But people will gather 80 years on for a service next month.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/five-brave-men-lost-plane-28526593

[SteveH]

The Great Escape: Welshman inspired Steve McQueen role

It is the part that cemented Steve McQueen in the pantheon of Hollywood cool.

But how many know the American icon's role as a daredevil POW in the 1963 World War Two film The Great Escape is supposedly based on a Welshman?

Ken Rees, from Anglesey, was the bomber pilot who fought back against his Nazi captors to break free of an infamous Polish prison camp.

That heroic effort celebrates its 80th anniversary this weekend.

Having joined the RAF in 1939 at a tender 18, Flt Lt Rees was shot down over Norway on a secret mine-laying mission three years later.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68625578

[SteveH]

FANS of the Red Arrows may have an unexpected chance to catch the famous jets in action.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team are set to come to RAF Valley on Anglesey prior to Isle of Man TT (IOM TT) races on June 7 and then return to Waddington.

Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat said: "We are indeed coming to Valley on June 7 for the IOM TT display that evening.

"We cannot guarantee anything in terms of an arrival. It will depends on several factors, one of which is the weather, both on the arrival at Valley beforehand and after the display at IOM circa 8pm (local time)."

cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24262209.chance-see-world-famous-raf-red-arrows-anglesey/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

D-Day 80: Servicemen silhouettes assembled near Gold Beach

Silhouettes representing almost 1,500 servicemen who died on D-Day have been assembled at a French museum.

To commemorate 80 years since the Normandy landings, the figures travelled from a workshop in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, to the British Normandy Museum.

The figures overlook Gold Beach, one of the key landing points.

They were transported via Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Fort Nelson, near Fareham in Hampshire.

The 80th anniversary of D-Day falls on 6 June.

cont plus photos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-68853855