Lighting their Legacy
Follow the Torch of Commemoration from the UK to Normandy to mark D-Day’s 80th anniversary.
As we approach D-Day we are proud to launch a programme of events which will reach people across the UK, Italy and in France.
These momentous events aim to build connections between veterans and young people, and bring people together to pass the Torch of Commemoration to the next generation.
Events will take place at locations across the UK before crossing to Normandy for 6th June D-Day 80 anniversary.
Keep an eye on our event list below for updates. Events are free to attend, with no prior booking needed.
Oxford Botley Cemetery
11:00 - Wednesday 15 May
Oxford Botley Cemetery contains some 740 burials from both wars, including 461 graves of members of the air forces who were killed during the Second World War.
Cambridge City Cemetery
10:00 - Thursday 16 May
Cambridge City Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1000 servicemen and women who lost their lives in the two world wars.
Cardiff Cathays Cemetery
12:00 - Thursday 16 May
Cardiff Cathays Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 700 servicemen and women who lost their lives in the two world wars.
Brookwood Military Cemetery
16:30 - Friday 17 May
Join us at for an evening of musical remembrance at our Evening at Brookwood, this year featuring music from the D-Day Darlings and Colin Thackery.
Chatham Naval Memorial
11:00 - Saturday 18 May
Join a special rededication ceremony for our Chatham Naval Memorial on its 100th anniversary.
National
Memorial
Arboretum
10:00 - Saturday 18 May
Join representatives from each of the Allied and former enemy nations to pay tribute to the fallen of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
Photo: National Memorial Arboretum
Cassino War Cemetery
Sunday 19 May
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the battles of Monte Cassino.
11:00 Commemoration ceremony organised by the British Embassy to Rome. 15:00 Commemoration ceremony organised by the New Zealand embassy to Rome.
Plymouth Naval Memorial
11:00 - Monday 20 May
Join us for the 70th anniversary of the Plymouth Naval Memorial for a special rededication ceremony.
Bath Haycombe Cemetery
14:00 - Tuesday 21 May
As part of our annual War Graves Week, we'll be at Bath Haycombe Cemetery where we commemorate nearly 1000 world war casualties.
Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery
10:00 - Thursday 23 May
Join us in Newark where we commemorate more than 500 casualties of the two world wars.
Imperial War Museum, North. Manchester
11:00 - Wednesday 29 May
Join us at the Imperial War Museum North, where CWGC will be hosting a special torch ceremony.
Photo: © IWM
Runnymede Memorial
11:00 - Thursday 30 May
Join us to pay tribute to the veterans who will be carrying the torches to Normandy, and for those commemorated at CWGC sites across France and the UK.
D-Day story museum, Portsmouth
11:00 - Monday 3 June
Join us to pay tribute to the veterans who will be carrying the torches to Normandy, and for those commemorated at CWGC sites across France and the UK.
Join us in Normandy for The Great Vigil
Join us as we carry our torch of commemoration to Normandy. We will illuminate each CWGC grave and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy.
Find out more
Can't make it to any of these events? Then join us for War Graves Week
We're running a series of talks, tours and events across the UK and Europe. Find a cemetery or memorial near you and find out what's happening.
Discover War Graves Week