Relatives of Horsa Bridge heroes unveil new memorial in Normandy after four-day cycle

Relatives of the heroes who spearheaded the D-Day operation in 1944 were joined by The Veterans Charity as they unveiled a new memorial at Horsa Bridge in France.

Built to honour the battle to secure Pegasus Bridge, the memorial was officially opened by members of the charity, trustees and relatives of the men who served during Operation Coup de Main, following a four-day cycle ride from Dorset to Horsa Bridge.

"After four years of planning and preparation, we are so proud to have hosted the Ride to Horsa and to have created a significant and lasting tribute to the heroes who spearheaded D-Day, 80 years ago," said charity CEO Danny Greeno.

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"The riders were magnificent. Despite battling some very severe weather conditions on day one and day three, their spirits never broke, and they all did a tremendous job of completing the ride," said Mr Greeno.

During Coup de Main, 180 servicemen from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal Engineers, Glider Pilot Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps and a Liaisons Officer from The Parachute Regiment, flew in Horsa Gliders to capture and hold two bridges.

The River Orne and Canal bridges were successfully captured, and later renamed Horsa Bridge and Pegasus Bridge respectively.

Mr Greeno went on: "To see our dreams of such a unique and striking memorial come to fruition is wonderful and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has played a part in helping to make it a reality.

"We were so pleased to be joined both on the ride and at the unveiling ceremony by relatives of the Coup de Main and distinguished guests from the local community and the regiments involved in the operation on 6 June 1944.

"We hope that many will now be inspired to join us on our next poignant adventure, The Forces March 2025."

For the unveiling, members of the charity and relatives were joined by trustee Major General Rob Thomson CBE DSO and Lieutenant Colonel Roy Jones, CO of Warminster Garrison.

Maj Gen Thomson said: "These sorts of things are complex to organise and deliver – there was fabulous attention to detail at each stage and we, the riders, wanted for nothing.

"The food was tremendous, the marshalling excellent, the cycle expertise first class and the logistics excellent. 

"I especially loved how you wove moments of poignancy into the expedition – it was this blend that made the event especially distinctive."