PICTURES: Heroes’ welcome as D-Day veterans arrive on largest cruise ship ever to visit Poole

Around 300 Second World War heroes, the youngest of whom is 92, are taking part in a eight-day ‘voyage of remembrance’ to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The arrival of the MV Boudicca on Tuesday morning was doubly exciting as it was the largest ship ever to have docked at Poole Harbour.

Picture: Richard Crease/ Poole Harbour Commissioners

The veterans started their journey in Dover on Sunday and were welcomed by the Dover Sea Cadet Band and a guard of honour.

Rod Stewart performed his 1975 hit Sailing for those on board, with a recording by Dame Vera Lynn also played.

In the message, Dame Vera said: “I wish you and your carers a memorable trip to Normandy.

“It will be nostalgic and sure to bring back lots of memories. Rest assured we will never forget all you did for us.”

The Boudicca, which is operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, then headed to Dunkirk on Monday.

The next stop was Poole, and hundreds of people lined the quay to welcome the ship to the port and greet the veterans.

Children from Longfleet Primary School gave a hero’s welcome to the group, which included 92-year-old Dennis Alcock.

Jack Mortimer, 95, spoke to pupils about his war experiences before they taught him the Baby Shark dance.
He said he was a despatch driver taking a jeep of ammunition and mortars on D-Day.

"After that I can't tell you what happened, I get so emotional about it," he said.

Mr Mortimer, from Leeds, served with 12th Ordnance Beach Detachment on D-Day.

Asked about speaking to the schoolchildren at Poole Harbour, he replied: "I can't get the words out. It's been brilliant, delightful, absolutely tremendous."

The Royal Marines performed an amphibious display in the harbour for the veterans.

Coxswains of 1 Assault Group's 539 Assault Squadron and troops from Charlie Company of Taunton-based 40 Commando spoke to veterans both on and off the ship.

They took the heroes on three of their high-speed Offshore Raiding Craft, used in seaborne assaults, around the harbour.

Picture: Royal Navy

Len Perry, 95, who was on destroyer HMS Beagle during D-Day, was allowed to briefly pilot one of the boats.

"This is great," he said.

"I didn't ever think I'd get the chance to do something like this again."

Poole was a significant embarkation point on D-Day, making it a fitting place for veterans to meet the green berets.

Many landing craft, gun boats and the decking for Mulberry Harbours were built in the town.
Thousands of American troops bound for Omaha beach left from Poole.

Brigadier Graeme "Jock" Fraser said it was a "great privilege" to meet the veterans.

"These D-Day veterans are at the very centre of a series of events, which will mark a pivotal phase of World War Two, when 75 years ago they took part in Operation Neptune, the largest amphibious operation in history," he said.

After the Royal Marines had left the ship, those on board watched a performance by Lance Corporal Richard Jones, 28, a magician who won Britain's Got Talent in 2016.

L/Cpl Jones, who serves with the Household Cavalry, first performed card tricks for small groups of veterans sat on the ship before a larger show in the evening.

"It is incredible to hear the experiences that they went through," he said.

"You think of the awful things they have experienced but talking to them, they are happy, having a great time, getting on well and having a laugh together.

"It is very inspirational to see."

He described the Armed Forces as "a very close knit family".

"It must be nice for these guys to chat to serving personnel because a lot has changed since they served," he said.

"A lot has also stayed the same despite the age and generational differences - everyone is on the same wavelength and gets the humour."

George Winter, from Reading, was a quartermaster with the Royal Navy on D-Day, serving on HMS Harrier.

He described the welcome at Poole as "absolutely wonderful".

"We were mine-sweeping the beaches clear of sea mines," Mr Winter said. "We led the way across the ocean so the men could get ashore without getting blown up.

"We were there on June 5, with the boys landing on June 6. As dawn came, we had to get out of the way so they could get to shore."

Mr Winter, who has five great-grandchildren, said he was "18 years, one month and three days old on D-Day".

Picture: Richard Crease/ Poole Harbour Commissioners

The veterans will attend the national commemorative event in Portsmouth on Wednesday before travelling to Normandy for events in Bayeux and Arromanches.

Services of remembrance at Bayeux Cathedral and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery will be attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

The ship returns to Portsmouth on Saturday before concluding its journey in Dover on Sunday..

The MV Boudicca, which is being chartered by the Royal British Legion (RBL), will be escorted by a Royal Navy frigate and four smaller Navy vessels upon its departure from Portsmouth.

A flotilla of Royal Navy vessels and their sailors will be waiting in the Solent to salute the ship.

From there, the ship will follow the same route as the soldiers involved in the Battle of Normandy, sailing to Le Havre tomorrow – exactly 75 years after the D-Day landings – “for what will be an emotional and unforgettable day for all on board”, the RBL said.

At 205.47m in length and weighing more than 28,000 tonnes, the MV Boudicca is the largest passenger cruise ship to call at Poole Harbour.

The ship’s arrival marks a significant milestone in the operation of the £10 million South Quay expansion works, which has involved the construction of a deep-water quay to handle larger vessels.