D-Day 80th anniversary marked with online exhibition

Captain Ted North's ventriloquists dummy, Bertie, is one of the 80 objects

A ventriloquist's dummy and a skipping rope are among 80 objects featured in an online exhibition marking 80 years since D-Day.

Portsmouth's D-Day Story Museum has brought together items from its own collection and other museums to tell the stories of the Normandy Landings.

D-Day in 80 Objects opens on Monday and each day an artefact will be featured during the lead-up to events on 5 June.

A book is also being published and will be available from June.

The exhibition includes a coat covered in military badges collected by a child in Gosport

Portsmouth will be hosting the UK's events marking 80 years since D-Day, some of which will be televised.

The exhibition also features artefacts from the D-Day Story, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum, the Royal Air Force Museum and the Imperial War Museum.

The ventriloquist's dummy, known as Bertie, was made in 1935 by Captain Ted North who used it to entertain troops.

Also included is a coat covered in 89 military badges collected by a child - Betty White - who lived in Gosport at the time.

The objects will help tell the story of the D-Day landings

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt said: "The D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy by Allied forces marked the beginning of the end World War Two in Europe.

"Eighty years later, it has never been so important to keep alive the stories and sacrifices of the many thousands of troops who took part."

The D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth will include ceremonies on a purpose-built stage, constructed on Southsea Common.

There will also be stories from veterans, military musical performances and a Royal Air Force flypast, as well as tributes from special guests, according to the Ministry of Defence.

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