Issue - meetings

Purpose

Summarises the forthcoming "Hidden D-Day" project (working title) in association with The Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Working with volunteers, the project will survey locations in the Hampshire countryside where troops camped before departing for Normandy, both before and after D-Day. It will also make available to a general audience, information about which troops were based at which camps and when.

Ross Fairbrother, D Day Story Manger, presented the report.

The Cabinet Member said this was an important piece of work.  The troops had a lasting impact on the villages and hamlets they were based in and around, so it is important to map that for future generations.

In response to a question, Mr Fairbrother said the main output is the website which would enable a member of the public to search for their relative to find out where they were stationed before they headed over to Normandy.  If the location is publicly accessible, they could then go and visit it. Members felt that a visual representation would be useful such as an interactive map and M Fairbrother said there would be an opportunity for that as part of the outreach work.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.