Photo re-enacted in Mawnan for 80th anniversary of D-Day

They had come to Cornwall to secretly plan and train for D-Day, also known as Operation Overlord.

With beaches surrounded by barbed wire and residents told to turn their lights off after dark, their presence was of the utmost secrecy; no one knew what was happening within the sealed camps.

As part of the preparations, large American naval ships were docked at a makeshift pier off Falmouth, onto which vehicles and equipment were loaded ready for D-Day.

Finally, on June 1, 1944 around 7,000 troops from the US 29th Infantry Division left the beach at Trebah to sail west along the coast and join the rest of the Allied fleet heading for the beaches of Omaha in Normandy.

A granite memorial remains at Trebah Garden today, with the inscription: “To the officers and men of U.S. 29 Infantry Division who embarked from Trebah in June 1944 for the D-Day assault on Omaha Beach, Normandy. We will remember them.”

Their departure was captured on camera, with the troops driving in cavalcade past the Red Lion pub in Mawnan, as two police officers and other soldiers watched on.

On Wednesday evening this week, that photo was re-enacted in Mawnan as part of preparations to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6.

The historic image from 1944 (top) was re-created in Mawnan Smith on Wednesday (Image: Kathy White/Falmouth Packet)

It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and, along with the associated airborne operations, the Battle of Normandy marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

For the anniversary year, Tom French, chairman of the Royal Cornwall Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, organised for a number of World War Two military vehicles to parade through the village of Mawnan Smith, with the role of the GIs filled by people in period uniform.

Tom French, William Grey and Ben Davis at the re-enactment (Image: Kathy White/Falmouth Packet)

A large number of people came out for the event, including locals and children from the village school, to watch the parade and wave flags. This was followed by drinks in the Red Lion.

Trebah Military Day’s 80th Commemoration of D-Day will now take place on Saturday, June 1 – and any D-Day veterans in Cornwall are invited to take attend and take part.

This takes place annually in partnership with The Royal Cornwall branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, but this year’s event is particularly poignant.

'American troops' in one of the vehicles (Image: Kathy White/Falmouth Packet)

What is Military Day?

Military Day is an annual event held at Trebah to remember and commemorate the bravery of the men and women of the British Armed Forces who have given their lives on active service. The day is organised and coordinated by the Royal Cornwall Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association.

Itinerary

11.30am - Culdrose Military Wives perform on the top lawn

1.30pm - Military vehicles head down to the beach & remembrance service with wreath laying

3pm - Pipe and drums return to the top lawn

3.30pm - Rachel Best performs on the top lawn

Please note, standard garden entry rates apply, or free for Trebah members.

Drinks were held in the Red Lion after Wednesday's re-enactment (Image: Kathy White/Falmouth Packet)

What is Trebah’s connection with the military?

Trebah has two very important links with the military and World War Two.

The first is with D-Day and the assault on Normandy, as detailed above.

The second is with Major Tony Hibbert MBE MC (1917-2014) who, with his wife Eira, bought the garden in 1981 and began a programme of work to restore the garden to its former glory and passed ownership of the house, garden and cottages to Trebah Garden trust in 1990.

He had a decorated military career during World War Two, including fighting at Arnhem and receiving the Military Cross in 1945.

• With thanks to Trebah Garden for information about the forthcoming Military Day.