You saved the world

Laughter and tears for heroes of D-Day

- LUCY THORNTON

D-DAY veterans were yesterday thanked for "saving the world" 80 years ago in one of history's bloodiest battles.

On the anniversary of the invasion that freed western Europe from the Nazis, the King and Queen stood side by side with the dwindling band of heroes and shared their tears.

For many of the 41 British fighters who attended yesterday's service it will be the final time.

Leaders from around the world including President Joe Biden and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky had flown in for a number of ceremonies near the landing beaches.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told veterans they had "saved the world".

Arriving at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-surMer the King saluted men who "did not flinch" when faced with the "supreme test".

The veterans - the eldest is 103 - rose to their feet to show respect.

But it was their stories that truly deserved respect and which left the royals in tears.

Arthur Oborne, 100, from Portishead, Somerset, told how his friend Walter "Gummy" Gummison saved him after he was shot in the lung.

He said: "He drove me to a field hospital saving my life. The next day my unit was ambushed, shredded, every man was killed.

"I never saw Gummy again. That day I lost 27 comrades. It is all because of Gummy's quick thinking that I can stand before you today. I wish I could tell him I have never taken his sacrifice for granted. And will always remember him as our friend. So Gummy, thank you very much."

As they received thanks from President French Emmanuel Macron and PM Rishi Sunak, before his early departure, some men fought private battles with their grief.

One held his head in his hands in an effort not to cry. The King, wearing his colonel-inchief of the Parachute Regiment uniform, said of the fallen: "Let us affirm that we will strive to live by their example.