Tributes were this week paid to Manxmen and Allies who lost their lives on Normandy beaches 75 years ago on D-Day.

A commemoration service was held on North Quay, Douglas, yesterday (June 6) to mark the anniversary with D-Day veteran Hector Duff saying a few words, along with Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Douglas Mayor Jon Joughin and Monsignor John Devine, the Roman Catholic Dean of the Isle of Man.

June 6, 1944, saw the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history take place in Normandy when British, Canadian and American armed forces invaded Nazi-controlled France.

Mr Duff, who faced enemy fire then, told the Courier: ’It’s like you’re scarred with knives on the inside of your heart. You can never erase the memories whatever you do.

’I’m quite happy the scars are there and to think that I’m trying to do my bit [in remembering them]. Those men didn’t have anything after D-Day.

’They were lying on the beach, in the sea and in the sand and we have had 75 years of wonderful life.’

Mr Duff, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal, France’s Legion D’honneur and the Tynwald Honour, told the crowd that he was both proud and honoured to speak to them about the importance of remembering those who sacrificed their lives.

Sir Richard listed the different divisions in which Manxmen had served on D-Day. This included the Manx Regiment, the 15th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, part of the 7th Armoured Division - known as the Desert Rats; the Royal Scot Greys (2nd Dragoons); No.6 Commando; the 23rd Hussars and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as part of the 159th Infantry Brigade.

The Steam Packet vessels Ben my Chree, the Lady of Mann and Victori supported the landing of invasion forces on D-Day.

The Royal Air Force saw a Manx-born man in the 190 Squadron that dropped paratroopers onto France from their Stirling aircraft.

The governor quoted Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the US Pacific Fleet during the Second World War, saying: ’They fought together as brothers-in-arms, they died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.’

Hosted by Douglas Council and Normandy Veterans’ Association, of which Mr Duff is chairman, music was provided by the Douglas Town Band.

The Mayor read the Bible passage Ephesians 6:10-18 about the armour of God with the public joining in hymns and prayers.

A number of people then made their way to the Normandy Veterans’ Memorial in Ridgeway Street where Mr Duff and the Mayor placed a wreath in honour of the fallen.

Following the service, Mr Duff, who also served in north Africa and Italy, said: ’That was wonderful. I’m sure they [the fallen men] will be feeling a little happier wherever they lie in peace in so many places in France. Often they are forgotten.’

He added that with the anniversary over, he now looks forward to his 100th birthday in October.