New D-Day pillar of remembrance unveiled in city

Paul Turner said the memorial is "something to be proud of"

A new memorial marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day has been unveiled in a city centre park.

Relatives of veterans gathered in Castle Park, Bristol, on Friday morning to watch as the pillar of remembrance was installed.

Paul Turner, chairman of the Bristol Normandy Veterans, said: "Everybody is so impressed with it and it's something to be proud of for the city of Bristol."

The group spent months fundraising for the memorial, which is designed to honour the veterans who returned home from Normandy and passed away later in life.

"I'm in awe - it's come together exactly as I'd hoped and prayed for and today has gone extremely well," added Mr Turner.

"This represents the men who came back from Normandy who never ever forgot the comrades they lost and we shouldn't forget them," he added.

"This is for our Bristol men that came back and survived but have always lived with the horrors of that war."

Philip and Peter Rowe's father served in the Royal Navy

Philip Rowe, whose father William Rowe is represented on the pillar, said it was "very moving indeed" that he had been remembered.

As part of the navy, his father landed Canadian troops on Juno Beach.

"He always said he was just so grateful he wasn't part of the troops, he literally saw blood in the water," said Mr Rowe.

"I think he saw terrible things, so it's just so moving to see this here and have them remembered but particularly those who actually ran at the beaches and didn't survive."

Ann and Rita Wheeler's father was an engineer in the Royal Air Force

Ann and Rita Wheeler, whose father Ray Wheeler also served on D-Day, attended the unveiling of the pillar.

The sisters didn't know much about their father's experiences as an engineer in the Royal Air Force until they travelled to Normandy with him.

"We're very very proud of all these veterans, very proud, it's very emotional," Rita said.

"When this is officially opened his grandchildren, great grandchildren, will come down to honour their granddad."

"I just wish he was here to see it because he would be over the moon.

"He lived for his veterans, he just loved them, and that's why we carry on.

"We promised Dad when he died that we'd carry on with the veterans, so that's our legacy to him really."

In two weeks, the families plan to hold a ceremony to remember the late veterans, and are also planning to add more plaques to the memorial.