ON this very day 80 years ago thousands of brave men stormed the beaches of Normandy in what was the largest amphibious assault of WWII - today residents of Newton Abbot came together to remember their sacrifice.

Serving and former army personnel, local dignitaries and members of the public gathered at the town’s War Memorial at 11am to observe a two-minute silence, lay wreathes and remember the many thousands of brave men who perished on June 6, 1944.

Newton Abbot observes the anniversary of the D-Day landings 80 years on
(Ethan Heppell / MDA)
Newton Abbot observes the anniversary of the D-Day landings 80 years on
(Ethan Heppell / MDA)

Crowds gathered at Wolborough, Buckland and Highweek for the lighting of beacons in commemoration of the anniversary.

Pictured below is 22-year-old mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Alex Hall, having lit the beacon at Highweek.

22-year-old mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Alex Hall, lights the Highweek beacon in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day
22-year-old mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Alex Hall, lights the Highweek beacon in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day (Newton Abbot Now)