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British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, France

We have been honoured to display for a 2nd season our hugely popular D-Day 80 installation, "For Your Tomorrow – the People’s Tribute," at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France. Marking the 80th anniversary year of VE Day, from 12th April 2025 to 12th September 2025.

Photo credit: Simon Dawson

During the Spring and Summer of 2024 and 2025 over half a million people visited the Memorial, many of whom experienced the power and poignancy of the 1,475 servicemen placed with heads bowed on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach, each representing a life lost on D-Day, 6 June 1944. In this VE Day 80 anniversary year, the figures have served as a symbol of the bittersweet emotions faced by so many at the end of the Second World War in Europe and Japan– joy that the war had ended alongside the reality of absent loved ones who never came home.

Among the 1,475 figures, this year’s installation featured approximately 200 new creations including radio operators, medics, and a Scotsman playing the bagpipes. The project also included bespoke ‘giants’ to represent the only two women on the Memorial, nurses Sisters Evershed and Field, who died while saving 75 men from a sinking hospital ship; and 50 French resistance fighters, placed around the French Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. The return of the Giants was made possible thanks to sponsorship to support the costs of the installation from the Normandy Memorial Trust’s three partners - BAE Systems, KPMG and Teledyne FLIR In addition, Gold Beach Tourisme partnered with the Trust to support the costs promoting the project across France.

Four articulated lorries, with flatbed trailers crossed the Channel, embarking at Portsmouth Harbour after visiting Blenheim Palace and Fort Nelson Supported by a team of volunteers, the journey via Portsmouth will taok place on 28 March and the completed installation was available to visit from 12 April until 12th -September 2025.

Lord Richard Dannatt, Chairman of the Trust said: "In the year when we will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, I'm delighted that 'Standing with Giants' will be returning to The British Normandy Memorial. The 1,475 giant silhouettes of British soldiers, sailors and airmen, in the wildflower meadow above Gold Beach, were a compelling reminder of the price that was paid for our freedoms. Many thousands were moved by their sight last year. I hope many thousands more will visit this year and remember."

Nicholas Witchell, Founder of the Trust and Managing Trustee said: "We are enormously grateful to the main sponsors of this year's installation, BAE Systems, Teledyne FLIR and KPMG and for the valued support of the Gold Beach Office of Tourist Information. We very much look forward to working again with Dan and Janette Barton from Standing with Giants and their tireless team of volunteers."

Dan Barton, Founder of Standing with Giants charity said: "Myself and the whole Standing with Giants team have been truly humbled by the international response to our work. This time, we’re introducing nine new figures to replace several hundred of our original silhouettes. These additions, including radio operators, medics, and a Scotsman playing the bagpipes, bring even more depth to our tribute. We’re honoured to once again stand in remembrance of these heroes in Normandy during this momentous year to mark 80 years of Victory in Europe."

Caitlin Hayden, Communications Director, BAE Systems said: "At last year’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Standing with Giants silhouettes provided a striking illustration of the enormity of the sacrifices made by thousands of members of the British Armed Forces. As one of the UK’s leading employers of veterans, we’re proud to be working with The Normandy Memorial Trust to support the display’s return to the beaches of Normandy for the VE-80 remembrance, so it can again serve as a reminder of those brave individuals who fought to liberate Europe in World War II.”

Arne Skjaerpe, Vice President of global business development and sales at Teledyne FLIR said: “Teledyne FLIR Defense is honoured to help support the Giants’ return to the British Normandy Memorial. We stand proudly with our partners in commemorating the sacrifices that led to Victory in Europe eighty years ago.” The public can support the Memorial and Standing with Giants charity by sponsoring a plaque for £150 in honour of a loved one. The tribute plaques will be positioned in front of the giants and subsequently remain on the Memorial site for a period of at le 5 years.

Discussions are underway with The British Normandy Memorial about the hoped- return of the Giants in 2026.

More information about the plaques and the British Normandy Memorial (which is free to visit and open year-round) www.britishnormandymemorial.org/plaques.