Veterans and descendents recall sacrifices of D-Day fallen during 75th anniversary commemorations in Normandy

Melvyn Dunn, 77, from Ackworth, West Yorkshire, salutes in a field of poppies Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

As the sun rose over the beaches of Northern France, a lone piper played on the harbour wall at Arromanches, marking the exact moment the first soldiers landed in Normandy.

75 years ago a lone piper had played in very different circumstances, leading allied forces into battle.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall listen to veteran Frank Baugh (left), who served as a signalman with the Royal Navy Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/PA Images

There are now few of that generation left; fewer still strong enough to make the trip to remember their fallen comrades.

But one who did was Frank Baugh from Doncaster. Now aged 95, he was on one of the first boats to land on Normandy's Sword Beach, and today he spoke at a service of commemoration at Bayeux cemetery.

Veteran Frank Baugh, 95, who served as a signalman with the Royal Navy on a landing craft during D-Day. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/PA Images

96-year-old Les Postill, from Leeds, was too frail to make the journey to France. He was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, for his services as an able seaman in the Normandy campaign.

In Ripon, 99-year-old John Bottomley laid a wreath at his nursing home. He was a tank commander on D-Day.

Standards were held to the ground during a D-Day act of remembrance in front of the Royal Hotel in Hull. Credit: ITV News Calendar

And in Hull, Normandy veteran Clifford Dalton took part in an act of remembrance in front of the Royal Hotel.

Meanwhile, a 77-year-old from West Yorkshire was among those who took part in remembrance activities in Normandy.

Melvyn Dunn carries the wreath he laid at the British Normandy Memorial site Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Melvyn Dunn, from Ackworth, laid a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial site in Ver-sur-Mer, in northern France.

His father, Walter, had fought with Kings Own Royal Regiment of Lancaster in the Second World War. Walter landed nine days after D-Day.

Melvyn Dunn salutes in a field of poppies Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

WATCH: Calendar's closing montage of the D-Day anniversary events

  • Broadcast: 6 June 2019