“Do I have to tell you?,” he asked with a wry smile.Hammond was one of more than 250 veterans attending D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth on Wednesday; he is part of a dwindling group of men and women who can remember a time when Britain faced an existential threat from abroad.Historians and social scientists often say that war memorials are just as much about fostering a national narrative as they are about remembering the fallen.

Security “When we originally planned the event, this was going to be an opportunity for the veterans to meet the Queen, probably for the very last time,” said the leader of Portsmouth city council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson. President Macron read out a similarly unbearable final despatch from a young member of the French Resistance, scribbled in haste before his execution by the Gestapo at the age of just 16.‘Do not worry about me,’ wrote Henri Fertet. He frequently swapped asides with the Queen and the Prince of Wales.The veterans’ voice came in the authentic form of Mr Jenkins (pictured), a former sergeant in the Pioneer Corps who landed on Gold Beach 48 hours after the first waveThe Queen herself appeared glued to a performance which included a risqué knicker-flashing dance sequence and the first recorded use of the F-word at a state occasion.There were walk-on roles for the leaders of all the main allied nations, including a poignant recital by the Prime MinisterInterestingly, out of all the VVIPs, the one who seemed most engrossed was the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. ‘I was 12 years old on D-Day.’ He paused. Three things driving the mini-boom in house prices - and the...The £1,300 kit that will revolutionise village cricket: How clubs will be able to make television-style...Dating coach who prides herself on elegance tips reveals the 'toxic side' of trying to maintain a 'perfect...BEL MOONEY: How do I tell my family I'm dating a divorced dad-of-three?British Dynasty star Emma Samms, 59, tells of six-month 'Long Covid' hell: Actress says her health cruelly...Hammer blow for The City of London as investment firm Schroders allows thousands of staff PERMANENTLY work...Britain's economy on course for rapid recovery from coronavirus crisis, predicts Bank of England chiefBritain records HIGHEST infection rate for a Saturday in EIGHT weeks with 1,012 new Covid cases - as three...An end to quarantine 'roulette'? John Jenkins, 99, on stage at the D-Day commemoration ceremony in Portsmouth Credit: Getty Images - Getty 44 The veteran fought on the beaches at the age of 24 - …

With all this and more on offer in one small island, Portsmouth certainly is the Great Waterfront City.

This week will see D-Day commemoration events be held across the country for the 75 anniversary of the Normandy landings during the Second World War.Portsmouth will be the host for many of the celebrations that will be taking place throughout this week.Here is everything that you need to know about the D-Day 75 events and how you can get involved.The D-Day landings took place on 6 June 1944, and Portsmouth will host several events between 5 and 9 June this year for the 75th anniversary.Wednesday 5 June will see a Southsea Common host a key commemorative event in the morning, which will include several heads of state, including US President Donald Trump.There will also be hundreds of veterans attending, and the event will include a naval gun salute as well as a flypast from various aircrafts.On Thursday 7 June there will be a Remembrance Service at South Parade Pier at 10.45, and coverage will be shown on a big screen at Southsea Common.The Friday will include a music hub and a Military Band Concert at 17.00 at Southsea Common, followed by a symphony orchestra at 6.00.Family’s will then be able to enjoy an open air cinema screening at 19.00 on Friday.Portsmouth will then be hosting a Revival Festival on Saturday for a weekend of entertainment and activities based around the 1940s, and another Red Arrows flypast will take place in the afternoon.For security reasons, the area around Southsea Common will be closed off to the public while the veterans and heads of state are attending, and security presence in the area will be high.If you’re keen to see the event, it is set to be shown live on BBC One from 9.15 on Wednesday 5 June, and there will be large screens around Portsmouth showing the proceedings.The commemorations taking place in Portsmouth this week are free to attend, and are being organised by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the government.The Red Arrows and Spitfire will be among the planes taking to the air from around 12.00 and culminating at around 12.45 on Wednesday 5 June, and they will perform again in the afternoon above Southsea Common at around 16.15.26 RAF aircraft’s will be taking part in the flypast and flying restrictions will be in affect around the area.Another airshow will be on display on Saturday 8 June as well, for anybody who is unable to attend on Wednesday.Three more die with coronavirus as number of UK cases rises by 1,012Government recalls 200,000 faulty gowns supplied to NHS staffSex offender, 36, jailed for life for encouraging women to abuse childrenManchester United put six players up for sale to raise funds for summer signingsLearn how to retrain for a job in health and social careGames Inbox: Who is Sony’s best video game developer?Why you need to be thinking about training for your career NOWRestaurant hit with £500 bill after diners leave without payingMajor London bridge closed with immediate effect after heatwave causes cracksWoman, 36, ‘nearly blinded’ after ex smashed glass in her faceFarmer dumps 400 tyres at front door of alleged fly-tipperDebenhams ‘draws up liquidation plan’ with 14,000 jobs under threat

President Donald Trump, whose first state visit to the U.K. had been organized to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944, took pride of place next to Queen Elizabeth II in the royal box. Wednesday 5 June will see a …