THE TAYSIDE and Mearns branch of the Normandy Veterans’ Association has disbanded.

The branch has laid its colours to rest at the Brechin Royal British Legion where they can be taken out for future parades such as Armistice Day.

“We had 92 members when we were founded and that is down to eight or nine,” said branch secretary David Gordon.

“When we landed on the D-Day beaches we never thought we would see morning, never mind another 60 plus years.

“Our branch closure is echoed around the country as our numbers dwindle.

“We have returned to France on several occasions and we enjoy speaking about our experiences amongst ourselves.”

The association is a support group for veterans of the Normandy Landings, which took place on the beaches of France in June, 1944.

In 1981 a meeting took place in Cleethorpes between four ex-servicemen and from that the association was born.

Like many ex-servicemen, they had experienced the close comradeship of the war years and had intended to keep in touch after leaving the forces.

Inevitably, work and family priorities intervened and no national association was in existence to commemorate or bring together Normandy veterans.

Through the passage of time the association has become of global significance with members in many countries, but inevitably, numbers are becoming fewer.