On Friday the 6th of June 1944, 81 years ago, the Allied fleet made its way across the English Channel, arriving at five beachheads across the Normandy coast. American, British and Canadian forces consisting of 156,000 troops completed the largest seaborne invasion in history. Soldiers landed under heavy fire, and thousands died to achieve victory at Normandy, eventually culminating in the liberation of France and the Allied victory in World War Two.
This week, thousands of people will gather to commemorate D-Day, remember those who passed and fundraise for veterans who have sustained life-changing injuries during their service.
One of those people is George Bromley, a Serving Officer in the Royal Engineers. His first command in 2015 was in 77 (Armoured) Engineer Squadron, who landed on D-Day for the liberation of France in 1944. The 39-year-old hosts yearly D-Day fundraisers and has participated in commemorative events in Normandy since 2015. In 2024, George was the first person to swim from Portsmouth to Sword Beach to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
George started fundraising for military charities after breaking his neck in a military rugby match in 2019. This led to the temporary loss of use of his left arm before a long journey to recovery in 2022. His first challenge was an unsupported 1,000-mile Solo Beeline Britain. He travelled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in a straight line, which involved kayaking, swimming, climbing and walking, and raised over £10,000.
This year George is taking part in a gruelling fifty-mile, five-beach coastal swimming and walking challenge to raise funds for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity which provides serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss, lost the use of a limb, an eye or vision loss, in the honourable service of the United Kingdom.
George and the team
This week, George will be accompanied by partner Micol Flegenheimer. Micol is an Italian solicitor based in the UK whose Jewish grandparents fled Europe in 1939. They will be supported by a team of volunteers, including historian Peter Jones and Nadège Anturo, organiser of the 81st D-Day events on Sword Beach, with assistance from Nigel Bailey and Julie Kilvert-Jones.
Corps Security is sponsoring George’s journey in support of Blesma, and his pursuit to fundraise £5,000. George and his team will lay a wooden cross on behalf of Corps and Blesma at each of the five beaches that the Allied troops landed on.
Speaking about the challenge, George said: “There are lots of D-Day celebrations and events in landmark years such as the 75th or 80th anniversaries, but attention fades in the intervening years. I believe strongly that it is important to recognise what it means every year and I try my best to uphold the stories and memories of the greatest generation”.
“Our aim is to pay homage to the soldiers and officers who took part and to raise funds for Blesma, which provides lifelong support to veterans who lost limbs or the use of limbs. Blesma was crucial in the aftermath of WW2 looking after injured veterans and continues to play a vital role for injured service personnel.”
The challenge
As they cover the fifty-mile stretch of beaches, here is what lies ahead for George and his team:
- Day 1, Tuesday 3rd of June: Today, the group will commemorate those lost at Utah Beach by laying a commemorative wooden cross and discussing what happened on both sides of the conflict.
- The team will then begin their first swimming leg, covering 3km of ocean to the La Baie des Veys, and then travel to the Grandcamp-Maisy commune to rest.
- Day 2, Wednesday 4th of June: Moving on to Omaha Beach, the team will travel to the bunker WN 65 in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, where they will learn more about what took place in 1944.
From there, they will continue East, with some of the team on foot and some swimming to reach the vicinity of Arromanches-les-Bains commune. - Day 3, Thursday 5th of June: The team will continue east to the Gold Beach, stopping at the British Normandy Memorial. The team will then continue to Juno Beach.
- Day 4, Friday 6th of June: The final sprint will see the team arrive at Sword Beach on Friday at 11:00 hours. Swimming the final mile, they will take part in a final D-Day cross laying and a two-minute silence, before they take part in D-Day celebrations.
On the beach, the team will be serenaded by the Military Wives Choir, the children of Normandy and dignitaries of Lion-sur-Mer and Normandy. Elements of the 77 (Armoured) Engineer Squadron will also receive George and Micol with RAF Spitfires flying overhead. A parade through town and celebrations will continue throughout Friday, well into the evening. Attendees will also include the engineers who landed on the beach in 1944. See more of the celebrations on Corps’ LinkedIn.
D-Day Swing festival
Celebrations won’t stop there. On Saturday, 7th June, the team will be part of wider celebrations as they return to Lion-sur-Mer, including taking part in the military motorcade to Pegasus Bridge to celebrate the Airborne Landings.
Their efforts will finally be celebrated as part of the fourth annual D-Day Swing festival. The celebration for all at Sword Beach will feature a grand parade, featuring a display of vintage military and civilian vehicles, followed by pipers.
Celebrations will also include the display Spitfire and an educational discussion on the airmen of D-Day; a photo exhibition and a ‘Duty to Remember’ conference; and of course, music and dance balls, with live concerts, swing dancing and fireworks taking celebrations well into the evening.
Remarkable resilience
George’s challenge this week is a remarkable example of resilience for an incredibly worthy cause. Corps is honoured to support George along his journey which you can follow here.
George may complete his fundraiser this weekend, but veterans need your support all year round. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be made here.
Supporting Blesma
Blesma was originally formed as the Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association in the aftermath of World War One, providing community and support for one another. Today, the organisation offers eligible members advice and information on prosthetics and veteran compensation schemes, financial assistance and community activities.
The charity also advocates for prosthetics and disabled provisions for its members and has outreach officers who provide one-on-one advice and emotional support to veterans and their families. Learn more about membership here. The organisation hosts fundraising events throughout the year that you can get involved in here.
