D-Day legacy passed on to RAF Air Cadets so memory of Normandy sacrifice not lost

A campaign to keep the memory of D-Day alive in the next generation has seen RAF Air Cadets mark the sacrifice at one of the nation's memorials.

The event, part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Lighting Their Legacy torch relay, saw a commemorative torch passed from Second World War descendants to the youngsters at Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.

This roadshow aims to engage younger people in commemorating those who sacrificed their lives during the Second World War.

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During a ceremony, local cadets from the 398 (Staines & Egham) Squadron and descendants of those commemorated on the memorial came together for a tribute.

"The event emphasised the importance of education and remembrance, highlighting the enduring relevance of D-Day's lessons for today’s youth," said the RAF.

During the ceremony, the torch was passed to the air cadets by Frances Dodson, granddaughter of Francis John Brooker, an RAF Pilot who was lost during a mission in 1940, and Peter Clare, whose father Seymour Clare, also an RAF Pilot, died in 1942.

Ms Dodson expressed her hope that the cadets would be inspired to carry forward the legacy of those who fought in the war.

"It was wonderful to pass that legacy on and hope that, if the time came again, they would be willing to do exactly what [my grandfather] did," Ms Dodson said.

Mr Clare urged the cadets to ensure that the stories of the fallen live on and emphasised the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by previous generations.

"The youngsters of today, they're the future," he said.