Normandy Rememberance Service 2003

"Military convoy honours war dead" (as reported in the press October 27th 2003

'MEMORIES flooded back as a convoy of wartime jeeps and trucks made their way from Tilbury to Southend for a rememberance service.

The historic military vehicles formed the perfect backdrop for the ceremony, organised by the Normandy Veterans Association who laid wreathes for their fallen comrades at the Cenotaph, in Cliff Town Parade, Westcliffe.

Southend deputy mayor Roger Weaver stood alongside the 30 veterans as they remembered the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives.

Members of the Military Vehicle Trust, who drove from Tilbury to Southend, also turned out to raise money for the veterans.

Trust member, Ted Rawlinson of Rectory Road, Hawkwell, said: "The money raised through sponsorship and donations is going to the veterans who want to go to the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy next year but cannot afford to go. I felt very humbled being around the veterans, especially when they start telling us about the things they and their friends had done" '

Following this sponsored run the Essex Branch of the MVT was please to be able to present a cheque for £500 to the Normandy Veterans Association towards their trip to Normandy next year.