D-Day memorial escort for Normandy veteran Don

Today – on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings – we were honoured to escort veteran Don Sheppard to a memorial service in Rettendon.

Former Royal Engineer Don Sheppard, from Basildon, is Essex's oldest Normandy veteran.

Alongside thousands of Allied soldiers, Mr Sheppard landed on Normandy coast on 6 June 1944. His task was to secure Juno beach.

The 104-year-old had previously served in north Africa and Sicily prior to D-Day.

Today, Thursday 6 June, officers escorted Mr Sheppard from his home to the living memorial in Rettendon.

Mr Sheppard travelled to the memorial in an adapted mobility vehicle and was escorted by officers from our roads policing unit including motorbike riders.

Officers from the Basildon community policing team then met Mr Sheppard at the memorial before the service began.

Inspector Steve Parry, of the Basildon community policing team, said:

“This is the least we could do for our local D-Day hero, Don and we’re so honoured to have been part of his special day. It was our privilege to spend time with him and his family today.
“The actions and the sacrifice of Don, and those from his generation, should never be forgotten. He is a remarkable man, and his family is rightly extremely proud of him.
“I truly hope this small token of our appreciation for his service shows how proud we at Essex Police are of Don and it was a pleasure to have been part of his day.”

At Essex Police, we are proud of all our personnel who have served, or still serve in our Armed Forces as Army Reserves.

We are also proud to be part of the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme, which pledges our support to former service men and women and their families.

The idea behind the scheme is to ensure that the armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged because they or their family have served as a member of the armed forces. This includes supporting them with the start of a new career.

We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines our commitment in supporting former service personnel should they want to work for Essex Police.

At Essex Police, we value difference. We know we’re strongest when we work together. And we want a workforce that represents our communities. 

If you share our values and want to help people, keep people safe and catch criminals, then join us as a police officer, member of staff, special constable or volunteer.

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