Truly momentous day that began Europe's liberation

ON this day exactly 64 years ago, a military force numbering approximately twice the population of Southport landed on the beaches of Normandy in Northern France.
Operation Overlord began the Allied forces’ massive mission to end the Nazi grip on Occupied Europe.
Eventually, more than 850,000 troops – comprising British, North American, free European forces and others – arrived to take part in the quest.
One of them was a 20-year-old Irish Guards tank driver and Southport man, Tony Parkinson.
Today, aged 84, Mr Parkinson has raised more than £3,000 for a veterans’ charity by giving talks about D-Day.
“In the talks, I don’t speak about my own personal experience, I speak about the preparations for D-Day,� he told LookBack.
“Twice the population of Southport was put onto the beaches in about 12 hours.�

A British Army Sherman Tank drives to the English south coast in preparation for the Normandy Landings

The Birkdale resident recalled a “remarkable� response to his first talk, delivered at a local school to mark D-Day’s 50th anniversary in 1994.
He has since addressed more than 300 diverse audiences, ranging from schoolchildren to Probus Club and U3A members.
No charge is made for his appearances, with all donations going to the Royal Star & Garter home for disabled ex-service people.

Tony Parkinson at the Methodist Hall in Hesketh Bank, where he gave a talk to the Age Concern Luncheon Club. He is holding one of his paintings

For Mr Parkinson, the value of that home in Surrey is clear, having himself recovered from war wounds at Scarisbrick Hall near Southport and Edge Hill in Ormskirk – both now sites of educational institutions.
He said: “I was hit three times but I came home pretty much all right. I could have spent 60 years in the (Royal Star & Garter) home.�
Recognition of Mr Parkinson’s fundraising and narrative skills has come from a number of sources.
The Royal Star & Garter awarded him a special medal for his efforts while researchers have taped his recollections for the British World War II archives.
It is also hoped to make sound recordings of Mr Parkinson’s talks – which often deploy humour but are never trivialising – for the benefit of local schoolchildren.

Troops land on Normandy beach during the 1944 Operation Overlord offensive

Mr Parkinson volunteered to join the Army as he neared the age of 18 and received tank driver training in Yorkshire.
He saw that “nothing was left to chance� for the Normandy landings, but the Allied forces also made tactical bluffs when they found themselves outgunned during their advance.
German resistance was fierce and Mr Parkinson’s remembers heavy casualties during the advance on Belgium.
He witnessed the “grim� sight of comrades’ tanks going up in flames and the “merciless� fighting of the Nazis’ SS troops in Holland.
Mr Parkinson spoke of his huge admiration for the bravery of female nurses on the front line as well as of the conscientious objectors who served in roles such as stretcher-bearers.
In his post-Army career, Mr Parkinson managed Saxone shoes in Lord Street and was also involved in the opening of the Roland Cartier shoe shop on the thoroughfare.
A friend, the Southport artist and author Philip Berrill, said: “I have known Tony for over 20 years and have often been inspired by his talks, his motives for giving them and have seen at first hand the great appreciation he receives from audiences.�

IF you are interested in arranging for Mr Parkinson to speak to your group, call him on 01704-565749.

Do you have an interesting story from the Second World War or another conflict? Call LookBack reporter Robert Alcock on 01704-398287, email robert.alcock@southportvisiter.co.uk, or leave a message below.