Songs of Praise commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a special episode, airing on BBC One on Sunday 2 June, hosted by Aled Jones, who travels to Portsmouth, the site of the Allies’ historic seaborne invasion on 6 June 1944.
Aled Jones visits Portsmouth to mark a significant moment in history: the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Onboard an original landing craft at the D-Day Story Museum, he meets Stanley Ford, a 99-year-old veteran of the Normandy campaign. Stanley, who narrowly escaped death when his ship was struck by a torpedo just before D-Day, shares his incredible story and reflects on the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Additionally, we hear from Ken Hay, another veteran with a powerful story. Captured by the Germans during the Normandy campaign, Ken now dedicates his life to educating young people about the horrors of war, spreading a message of love as the answer to conflict. The episode also includes hymns and music from across the UK, performed by choirs and singers, as well as a special performance by Aled Jones on the beaches of Normandy.
This episode explores the personal stories of veterans Stanley Ford and Ken Hay, both of whom played a part in the Normandy campaign. While Stanley recounts his brush with death and his belief in divine protection, Ken shares his post-war mission to educate the younger generation about the realities of war.
Songs of Praise: 80th Anniversary of D-Day airs on Sunday 2 June 2024 at 1:15 pm on BBC One.
