The War Tour

D-day. My little sister Heather (95) lived on the South coast of England and saw the build up to the Normandy Invasions for weeks, then finally one night it happened. D-day. She was woken up in the night by our father to see the scores of planes and gliders filling the sky. She shared her memories with me last time I popped home. We talked much longer than this clip, she spoke of how chatty and smiley the American troops had been, giving sweeties out to the little kids, and marching up and down the pier, ever so smartly. Whilst talking to her her voice almost broke even 80 years later, thinking of how many men would not come back after the invasion. Today, amongst all the correct acknowledgement of the bravery of these men, I am sharing with you the memories from a civilian point of view. #dday #normandy #weymouth #memory #WWII #ww2 #wwiihistory #ww2history #historytok #historybuff #war #warhistory

For those of you that don't follow my instagram; Last last weekend I had the joy to meet Alec Penstone, who had his photo splashed all over the front page of newspapers with @theddaydarlings that same weekend, and his wonderful friends. Alec is 99 and refuses to say he is brave or a hero, but given how heavy his jacket is with medals I think we can safely say that is proved otherwise. I found him whilst listening to the @blind.veterans podcast (link below) and he made me laugh and cry as he told his life story. I just had to get in touch. Not for The War Tour, but because I wanted him as my friend! He served on the Arctic Convoys that came through Iceland and also at D-day itself amongst many other terrifying ordeals that he took on with such bravery, saving lives of individuals in his course of helping to save the lives of many. I took films of us with the idea to screenshot photos, but I've left the short films on here because I think it gives an idea of just how quick and funny and charming and genuine Alec is. The war aside he is the oldest poppy seller for @royalbritishlegion, he made hundreds of dollhouses for charity, and I know he made his wife Gladys feel incredibly loved all her life. I hope you can tell how I fell in love with Alec in just one day, I look forward to seeing him again, and I am incredibly proud for him to be my friend. He, with the help of his lovely friends - I met some of them; James, Tania, and George - wrote a book, the details to purchase it can be found at the end of the podcast or just message me. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4W3CMU04kPV01vfd82HEEu?si=j0L-qmN4TDet6KJdo7fZww You can support veterans like him also through @sont1944 the Spirit of Normandy Trust #dday #ww2 #veteran #ww2veteran #arcticconvoys #newfriend