Veteran abandons hope of attending D-Day anniversary event

One of Ireland’s last surviving D-Day veterans has penned a poignant message to his fallen comrades after being forced to abandon hopes of travelling back for the 70th anniversary.

Pat Gillen, 89, who was among the first wave of troops to invade Sword beach on June 6, 1944, has asked former soldiers to lay a homemade wreath at a memorial to commando units on the Saulnier farm near Amfreville where they were holed up for weeks.

On the laurel — decorated with poppies and an Irish Tricolour ribbon — he has written a simple tribute: “In memory of all commandos from the emerald island who lie in sleep in Normandy fields. Pat Gillen. Friends and Families 6 Commando.”