Wickham's musings from Chalke

The weather was fantastically good at Arromanches and other places along the coast of Normandy for the celebrations.

The Americans were at Omaha Beach and the British at their beaches with a parade in Arromanches later.

I admired the stamina of our veterans. Some said they had been up late the previous night talking to old friends after travelling.

In the morning they had gone to cemeteries before the main event then attended the British parade during the afternoon.

President Chirac’s helicopter was delayed by early morning fog so everything was delayed about an hour. The veterans were kept standing while waiting to march. President Bush, Tony Blair, the Queen, President Putin and other heads of state including the German chancellor Schroder were there.

There was a main parade in late morning for all nations and President Chirac gave a speech then handed out Legion D’Honeur medals. There were flypasts and gun salutes from a British warship. Other warships including the big French aircraft carrier cruised off-shore.

In the afternoon the Mayor of Arromanches gave a speech of about seven minutes which was then repeated in English by an aide. The Queen then gave her speech. All the time the veterans who had taken part in the parade were standing in the sun.

I was a little surprised that the Queen made no mention of Arromanches and didn’t thank the villagers who had tended the wounded, provided food and shelter and were so welcoming to our troops sixty years ago. He had been full of praise in his speech and thanked the Queen. She stuck rigidly to praise of the veterans.