SSAFA East Yorkshire Honoured to Mark Remembrance with D-Day Veteran

18 November 2020

SSAFA East Yorkshire marked Remembrance in the presence of a very remarkable gentleman, Ray Lord a 96-year-old D-Day Veteran.

Ray landed on Sword Beach on 6th June 1944. He was a wireless operator with 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire. Ray fought his way off the beach and continued inland. He was wounded in the battle for Caen when a shell landed near to him, his radio was destroyed but took the blast. He was then sent home to the UK for hospital treatment.

On recovery, he returned to his unit and fought through North-West Europe and was in Bremen on VE Day.

After the end of WW2, his unit was sent to Palestine and in 1947, he was discharged in Liverpool.

Steve Wilks, SSAFA East Yorkshire volunteer met Ray on November 2nd when the Regimental Association of the Yorkshire Regiment provided a colour party, the official flag group who represent each division, and a short service so Ray could lay a wreath at the memorial that had been erected in the grounds of the care home.

After this service was completed Ray asked Steve if he would support him when he laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday when he paid his personnel and private respects.

Steve Wilks said:

“I felt very privileged to be asked. On Sunday I stood next to him. Ray stood with his stroller at attention as he recited The Act of Remembrance. After the playing of Reveille, he spoke The Kohima Address.”

“He and I stood together each with our private thoughts. It was a great honour to stand next to Ray.”