A series of events took place across the borough as Thurrock commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday 6 June.
Cllr Kairen Raper, the Mayor of Thurrock, was joined by veterans – many of whom fought in World War II, as she raised a commemorative flag at the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays.
The Mayor then attended a touching remembrance service at the Grays War Memorial. The service was organised by the Grays Thurrock branch of the Royal British Legion and led by their chairman, Rod Oakley. Reverend David Peterson supported the service with prayers.
There was also a special event at the London International Cruise Terminal at the Port of Tilbury. This included heritage displays featuring items and memories from 1944, along with a local singer performing the stirring hit songs that would have been heard by our troops and helped to keep the home fires burning here in the UK.
A specially decorated bus, the result of a collaboration between Ensign Buses and Start Thurrock, took residents from sheltered accommodation to the event. The bus was adorned with artwork created by Jessica, Naomi and Lily, the winners of Thurrock Museum's recent D-Day art competition.
Later, beacons were lit in Bulphan, East Tilbury, Grays and Purfleet-on-Thames.
At 6pm tomorrow, Saturday 8 June, the Royal British Legion will unveil the refurbished war memorial at Faymore Gardens in South Ockendon.
You can watch the beacon being lit at East Tilbury in our video below.
Photo below: The Mayor and veterans at the flag-raising outside the Civic Offices, Grays.
