THE mayor of Lingevres wel-comed Hampshire veterans to the small village in a gesture of goodwill.
Christian Marie shook hands with Tom Cromie, the chairman of the Hampshire branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, in the village square where a memorial stands to the Northumbrian Division.
Many of the veterans who belonged to the First Battalion of the Hampshire regiment were part of the division.
Mr Marie, who has been the
village mayor for the past 26 years, said: "This memorial represents their courage in coming to liberate our country. We are very happy to welcome them.
"We look at them as France's children. They hold an enormous place in our hearts."
Mr Cromie, who served in the 90th (City of London) Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery was part of the Northumbrian Division.
He landed on Gold Beach on June 6 as a motorcycle orderly. To mark his respects against his fallen comrades, he laid a wreath privately by the memorial.
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