THE 80th anniversary of D-Day was marked at Nayland House in Colchester yesterday, and the care home’s residents shared their stories of a day that’s fixed in their memories for ever.
It has been eight decades since the successful allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy on June 6 1944, and the residential care home in Nayland knew the significant day was an important one to commemorate for its elderly residents.
Staff at Nayland House decorated the care home, played wartime songs and arranged for its residents to watch the D-Day celebrations on television with a good cup of tea. And, it was during the celebrations, when memories of the unforgotten time in history were shared.
Registered manager Emma Engutsamy said: “D-Day is something many of our residents still remember. They remember where they were and what they were doing. We knew it was an important day to mark at Nayland House and it’s been wonderful to listen to our resident’s stories of not just D-Day, but from the whole of the Second World War.
“One of our residents, 90-year-old Edward, shared how is brother was the driver of ammunition lorries in the war. He spoke about how the vehicles were waterproofed with clay ready for sea landings, so they didn’t draw in water.
“It’s these kinds of stories that we need to keep alive, and today’s celebrations have given our residents the perfect opportunity to share their memories. It’s been a wonderful day. A huge thank you to staff for organising.”