Heroes one and all pay tribute

Of the 100 veterans who were out on parade in Steyne Gardens on Sunday to mark the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings, only one of them faltered.

As the temperature touched 22 degrees, an old soldier slowly sank to his knees.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley rushed from his front row seat of distinguished guests to help him to his feet and offer him a chair. He refused to sit. And he refused to leave the line-up.

Instead, in his own time, he slowly stood to re-join his comrades. He didn't falter again.

After the ceremony, Major Tom Wye, president of the Worthing Combined Ex-Services' Association, said: "I knew he was all right because he got up and rested on his elbows and that's what old soldiers do.

"Peter Bottomley rushed out there with his chair but he refused to sit on it. Once he got his composure back, he stood up straight for the rest of the service. There was no way that man was going to sit down when his men were on parade. He epitomised the spirit of the veterans on that day. That's why we won D-Day, because of men like him."

More than 300 people gathered around Steyne Gardens as the Lancing and Sompting Royal British Legion Band, led by Tim Lincoln, marked the start of the ceremony.

It had been organised almost entirely by veteran Harry Hunt MBE, a member of Worthing's Combined Ex-Services' Association, with the support of Worthing Council.

Guests included Hugh Wyatt, the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, who inspected the parade. He was joined by Worthing mayor James Doyle. Past mayors, councillors and MPs were also present.

Disabled veterans from Gifford House were given pride of place at the front of the crowd.

The Rev David Farrant, chaplain of The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (Gifford House) and the Combined Ex-Services' Association, said: "We give tribute to their sacrifice and we honour them. For all those who lost their lives, we pay tribute to them."

Mr Wyatt congratulated the veterans on their smart turn-out and the organisers of the event.

He said: "There may or may not be services of such commemoration in the future because of advancing years but what is the most important thing is that military museums, schools, history books and the film industry correctly tell the stories of these battles to the younger generation. This way, the heroism and sacrifice will always be remembered."

The Drummers of the 45F