WW2 veterans help bring to life 'ultimate history lesson' for children ahead of D-Day 80
Two Second World War veterans helped give 30 children the ultimate history lesson to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Navy ship-turned-museum HMS Belfast and 10 Downing Street.
The children from Hayfield Cross School near Kettering met D-Day veterans George Chandler and Bernard Morgan during the visit to 10 Downing Street.
Businesswoman Akshata Murty, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's wife, welcomed the children to Number 10 as the Ministry of Defence announced a range of initiatives to inspire a new generation with the story and legacy of D-Day.
While touring Number 10, the children were given a lesson on the role of Downing Street and Prime Minister Winston Churchill in planning the Normandy Landings.
The schoolchildren then boarded a Second World War-era red double-decker bus adorned with the D-Day 80 logo and travelled to HMS Belfast – the only British ship remaining from the bombardment fleet of D-Day.
On board the Town-class London landmark-turned-floating museum, they met Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and learned about HMS Belfast's vital role during D-Day.
They also took part in a hands-on Morse code lesson and had the unique opportunity of asking the D-Day veterans questions about their experiences 80 years ago.
Akshata Murty said: "It was a privilege to welcome George and Bernard to Downing Street today.
"They, along with all our brave veterans, are truly inspirational.
"It was wonderful that the pupils from Hayfield Cross Primary School were given the unique opportunity to hear their incredible stories first-hand.
"The team from the Imperial War Museum also provided the kids with a powerful lesson in the Cabinet Room that helped to highlight the unparalleled sacrifice that so many made 80 years ago."
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Remembering D-Day is a crucial step to ensuring we appreciate the hard-earned peace and freedom we enjoy today.
"It was an honour to speak with George and Bernard and to meet the inquisitive class from Hayfield Cross School.
"I hope the ultimate history lesson has worked to highlight the significance of D-Day and to help keep the memory of those that fought alive."
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "It's so important for the next generation to learn about those who fought and died during D-Day and what better way than to hear directly from those brave men who were there almost 80 years ago.
"It was fantastic to see the children develop a deeper appreciation for the freedom and peace that we enjoy today and remember together such an important moment in our country's history."
The ultimate history lesson is part of a range of education initiatives the Ministry of Defence and its partners are leading to ensure the inspiring message of D-Day is passed down to a new generation.
D-Day resources for schools
The Normandy Memorial Trust commissioned a D-Day 80 Teacher Resource Pack which is available as a digital download.
The printed pack will be handed to schoolchildren taking part in D-Day 80 activities in Portsmouth on 3 June, ahead of the veterans' departure to Normandy.
Packs will also be available at The D-Day Story, Portsmouth, a museum, thanks to funding from The Spirit of Normandy Trust.
The British Council and Normandy Memorial Trust will also host a live virtual D-Day 80 assembly for secondary schools on 6 June.
Speakers from the Normandy Memorial Trust and GCHQ will allow students to find out what happened on D-Day and discover the role codebreaking and secret information played.
An expert from France will talk about the role of the French Resistance and the impact on civilians.
Thousands of members of the public will join D-Day veterans, Armed Forces personnel and special guests at major commemorative events to pay tribute to the "greatest-ever generation".
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will help lead tributes for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings at events in Portsmouth and Normandy on 5 and 6 June 2024.
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