D-Day 80: RECAP: Spectacular evening drone lightshow rounds off Portsmouth's commemoration events

Former military personnel have given their thoughts on the upcoming commemorations.

Stan Ford, 98, who served on HMS Fratton escorting other ships, tells school pupils there were lighter-hearted moments during the war. He said: “There was a time when the refrigeration system broke down so we were told to eat as much meat as we could. I remember eating a whole shoulder of lamb to myself.”

George Horner, 97, a member of G company of the Royal Ulster Rifles, who landed on Sword Beach on D-Day. “I got shot in the foot by one of my mates. I was raging. He was a loose cannon, a headcase. He was holding his rifle and he hadn’t the safety catch on and the bullet hit my foot. I won’t tell you what language I used at the time. We did remain good friends though.”

Former Royal Army Ordnance Corps technical clerk Mervyn Kersh, 99, who arrived in Normandy aged 19 in June 1944, calls on the UK to be stronger against Russia. He said: “I just wish the gains we made would have lasted longer than my lifetime because we’re going through the same ground again, and at this time it’s Russia that is the Germany of today, an aggressor.”

Royal Navy veteran John Dennett, 99, recalls the sight of ships sailing towards Normandy. He said: “There was that many ships, you thought, ‘well what’s going to happen?’ You had to see it to believe it. I saw a picture of it again yesterday and it’s unbelievable. We thought nothing can happen to us, there’s too many of us.”

Jamaican veteran Gilbert Clarke, 98, who lied to join the RAF at 16 after reading newspaper reports of ships being sighted in the Caribbean, said: “Everyone was doing their bit, you know. It was important not to do nothing because Hitler… there was word in the Caribbean saying any time he could be colonising the Caribbean and South America, and so we had to do something.”

Here is a sneak peak from inside the event itself. D-Day imagery is taking centre stage as the guests arrive.

Portsmouth residents have been sharing their thoughts ahead of the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth today

The D-Day 80 anniversary events will officially commence in just over an hour’s time - and Southsea Common looks phenomenal as it starts to take shape.

Guests are beginning to take their seats ahead of the 11am commemorations

The first event has begin with a flypast of two aircraft and music on the stage.

Dame Helen Mirren is now on the stage to begin proceedings

Prince William has been escorted to his seat

Rishi Sunak has taken his seat - we are now just waiting for the King, Queen and Prince William