A ceremony of light in Hillend to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day has been hailed as “brilliant” by one of its organisers.

The Royal Naval Association for Rosyth and West Fife held the event last Thursday with the King's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Fife, Robert Balfour, lighting the beacon.

Honorary secretary of the association, Alan Browne, said: “It was brilliant. It was very successful.

Dunfermline Press: The Royal Naval Association for Rosyth and West Fife held the event on Thursday, June 6.The Royal Naval Association for Rosyth and West Fife held the event on Thursday, June 6. (Image: David Wardle)

“The lord lieutenant was very pleased and he was happy to be there along with his deputy, Clare Mitchell.

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“There was a lot of people and we had eight pupils from four different schools too.”

At the event in the village square, a piper performed the Battle's O'er Lament, there was a service with the Remembrance Prayer, a parade and speeches. 

Branch president Alan Bayliss officially welcomed the King's representative, and his deputy, and gave a short speech on the importance of the D-Day anniversary.

The primary seven pupils - Rory Hunter and Christopher Miller from Donibristle PS, Harry Affleck and Douglas Arthur from Dalgety Bay PS, Magnus Gallant and Evan Fenner from Aberdour PS, and Ruaraidh Anderson and Aria Wallace from North Queensferry PS - read a series of poems to commemorate Operation Overlord.

Dunfermline Press: Hillend’s ceremony of light to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day has been hailed as “brilliant” by one of its organisers.Hillend’s ceremony of light to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day has been hailed as “brilliant” by one of its organisers. (Image: David Wardle)

There were more tributes before piper Brooklyn Morris played Highland Laddie and Road to the Isles, the tunes that were played by William Millin 80 years ago as he led our troops up Sword beach and into Normandy.

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Binyon's Lines were delivered by the chairman, Richard Wardrope, and after the bugler sounded the last post there was a two minutes silence. Wreaths were laid and the lord lieutenant lit the beacon. 

Dunfermline Press: “When you think about it, D-Day landings were the largest amphibious assault in history, there’s been none bigger before or since. It was huge. Alan commented.“When you think about it, D-Day landings were the largest amphibious assault in history, there’s been none bigger before or since. It was huge. Alan commented. (Image: David Wardle)

Mr Browne said: “When you think about it, the D-Day landings were the largest amphibious assault history, there’s been none bigger before or since. It was huge. Operation Overlord was really something. I take my hat off to them.

“A huge thank you to everybody, especially the kids that turned up to do the readings and the cadets."

He also wanted to thank Tesco who provided goodie bags for all of the children who came along to the event.