“They should never be forgotten”

A Bradford borough pub will mark 80 years since D-Day today.

The Cricketers Arms, on Kirkgate, Shipley, has a number of activities planned to commemorate armed forces personnel on the 80th anniversary of the landings in Normandy, France.

Landlord Andy Tucker, right, of the Cricketers Arms pub in Shipley celebrates the 80th anniversary of D-Day with 4 Para veteran Tony Grimshaw (Image: Newsquest)

“Thursday is dedicated to D-Day – this day must never be forgotten,” said Andy Tucker, owner of The Cricketers Arms, paying tribute to the men who served and lost their lives in battle. “Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

The 80th anniversary of D-Day and Remembrance Day is particularly poignant for Mr Tucker, whose father died while serving with the Royal Engineers at Steamer Point, Little Aden, in the Middle East in 1965.

“I was born in an RAF hospital in Saudi Arabia in 1965, just six weeks before I died.

“My father was only 28 when he was killed by a hand grenade while chasing a group of terrorists.”

Cricketers Arms owner Andy Tucker says a free pint is being offered for an old coin as part of tomorrow’s D-Day celebrations (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Tucker said the Cricketers Arms would observe two minutes’ silence to commemorate D-Day outside at 11am. He said the chimes of Big Ben and The Last Post would be heard outside, and after silence, Vera Lynn songs such as “We’ll Meet Again” would be played.

Punters will have the chance to do karaoke in the afternoon and Mr Tucker said the pub will be running a special offer on the day to get a free pint.

Cricketers Arms owner Andy Tucker says a free pint is being offered for an old coin as part of tomorrow’s D-Day celebrations (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Any old coin such as the Tanner (Sixpence) which is no longer in use can be exchanged for a free pint.”

Tucker also spoke proudly of the reopening of The Cricketers Arms just three years ago, almost 20 years after it had to close in 2002.

He said: “We are like a phoenix that rose from the ashes when we reopened three years ago.”