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` D-Day soldiers THREE serving soldiers watched as Pagham's D-Day memorial plaque was re-dedicated. Serving members of the 12th Regiment, Royal Artillery, based at THorney Island in Hampshire, provided a link with servicemen and women who took part in the Normandy invasions in 1944. Sergeant Barry Pryor said: "It's important this event is held because we are serving soldiers from the local area and we were not aware of the role of Pagham and the Mulberry Harbours. "We are proud to be part of this event. It is important to remember the events of D-Day because they are part of our heritage. "It is even more important on the 75th anniversary because it is one of the last big commemorations of the people who were actually there." His comrades who were also present were Bombardier Amy Johnson and Gunner Adam THorne. As reported, the government advised by Historic England has granted protection to the Phoenix caisson (outer) and Phoenix caisson (inner) which remain off Pagham. THe status places the structures on a par with important historic sites like Stonehenge. Pagham is the only place in the country to have the Mulberry Harbours. Historic England has acted as a tribute to the major technical and engineering achievement involved in creating and making them. THe various parts of the harbours comprised 2,000-6,000 tons of reinforced concrete. THe outer caisson was parked off Pagham and damaged when it was unable to be towed to Normandy.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Pagham's D-Day role recalled
D-DAY veteran Philip Hawes was a guest at a memorial event to highlight Pagham's part in the historic invasion. Mr Hawes, 93, was a Midshipman in the Royal Navy and helped to transport armed forces personnel to the parts of the Mulberry harbours stored off the beach in 1944. He can remember as a 17-year-old how he played his role the harbours were manned ready to be towed to the coast of Normandy to be support the Allied forces after they landed. "THe caissons were brought here in the April time," he said. "THey were submerged in an area known as THe Park, a flat and sandy area. THere were 48 of them and I was involved in the conveyance of the personnel to them. It was a very busy time." Mr Hawes blessed the stone, which is in front of Pagham Yacht Club, along with the Vicar of Pagham, the Rev Mark Eminson. Mr Eminson read American President Roosevelt's prayer broadcast to the troops on the eve of D-Day and recalled the lives of all those who died and fought in the battles as the forces went ashore. "In all their memory, we re-dedicate this memorial in Your name and in Your glory and in everlasting thanksgiving for their toils and service," he said. THe ceremony took place at the oneton boulder installed by Pagham Parish Council 20 years ago to commemorate the 55th anniversary of D-Day. A new plaque was fixed on the stone by the council for last THursday's 75th anniversary of the event. Some 30 people gathered for the occasion. Military historian and Pagham resident Ken Rimell said: "Pagham really was the gathering of the harbours out there and
there were also military airfields. "West Sussex had the largest concentration of military airfields for D-Day and it was the RAF who led the way for the Army on the beaches." He recalled some of the people from around Pagham who played key roles in the tremendous ingenuity and work that was required to create the Mulberry harbours. By forming two large man-made harbours of concrete, they were crucial to supply the invading forces and land reinforcements at any state of tide. "THe Mulberry harbours were towed to Normandy on the afternoon of June 6, 1944. THey didn't go over on June 5 to avoid getting tied up with the fleet going over. "THe Mulberry harbour project was, without question, the salvation of the British and Allied forces. "THere were two harbours - one British and one American. THe British one at Arromanches survived the severe storm on June 19, 1944, and millions and millions of tons of equipment and men were brought ashore." Cllr Peter Atkins, Pagham Parish Council's chairman, said "It is important to remember all those who took part the work and research for D-Day. "We would also like to take the opportunity of this anniversary to tell people just how important Pagham was in D-Day and how it played its part in the events now being broadcast on the TV and radio across the country. "It is very important the next two or three generations do not forget what happened on D-Day. "We have had one or two hiccups since the war but nothing as severe as we faced before."
f Soldiers from the 12th Regiment RA with veteran Philip Hawes
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