outside the previous museum in Arromanches.
Bristol Normandy Veterans
The Normandy Veterans Association (NVA) was formed in 1981 to reunite veterans of the Normandy Campaign, Operation Overlord (1944). Bristol was the second branch to join after Grimsby. Initially run by veterans, the group provided support, raised funds, and organized annual trips to Normandy on June 6th to honour fallen comrades.
As time passed, wives and widows became active members. In 2014, after the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the National Association disbanded, but the Bristol Branch continued independently as the Bristol Normandy Veterans.
Our Mission
With most surviving veterans now over 100 years old, the association is led by their families. We honour those who served in Operation Overlord, support surviving veterans and widows, and ensure future generations remember their sacrifices.
Our chairman, son of the last veteran chairman, leads efforts to:
- Raise funds for veterans, widows and the continuation of the group and its development.
- Educate younger generations about the Normandy Campaign
- Maintain our Memorial Garden in Castle Park, Bristol, now featuring a Pillar of Remembrance listing veterans who survived D-Day but have since passed.
Continuing the Legacy
Despite dwindling veteran numbers, our membership of 120+ includes sons, daughters, grandchildren and friends dedicated to keeping their memory alive. Our Pillar of Remembrance, completed in 2024, gained wide media support, helping raise awareness and is regularly visited.
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Warmley Community Centre, welcoming visitors and ideas to further our mission. Through talks, events, and this website, we ensure that the sacrifices of Bristol’s Normandy Veterans are never forgotten.
