The city park that became a D-Day paratrooper base

The 82nd Airborne Division established its headquarters on Braunstone Park before the invasion of Europe

A Leicestershire town is to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day with events to remember US servicemen stationed there before the invasion of Europe.

The 82nd Airborne Division was headquartered at Braunstone Park, in Leicester, in the months before the Operation Overlord landings in Normandy on 6 June.

Braunstone Town Council has arranged a display to commemorate the paratroopers' time in the town.

John Doddies, of the Braunstone Heritage Archive Group (BHAC), said: "They weren't here long but they made quite an impact."

The huts left on the park after D-Day were later used to house bombed-out Leicester citizens

"The officers and administrators were based in Braunstone Hall and many, many corrugated iron huts sprung up on the surrounding park for the soldiers," he added.

"There was an overwhelming sense of joy when they arrived because they were well supplied with things people in Leicester could not get on rations.

"They were very kind and they shared.

"There was some sadness when they left for the invasion, not least from some local girls who were very fond of them."

Volunteers have knitted thousands of flowers for an 80th anniversary poppy cascade at Braunstone Civic Centre

Lin Burrows, editor of the Braunstone Community Life magazine, said: "The anniversary has really brought people together.

"It will be a very special few days."

A display by the BHAC will open at the Braunstone Civic Centre on Thursday and run until Sunday.

A D-Day commemorative ceremony will take place at 11:00 GMT on Thursday at the civic centre where an 80th anniversary poppy cascade has been created using thousands of flowers knitted by volunteers.

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