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Arthur's a special 'D-Day Darling'
A 91-year-old war veteran will be the special guest at Wicksteed Park's D-Day Darlings concert on Sunday.
Arthur Warburton, of Higham Ferrers, served in 56 Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery during the Second World War.
The regiment, in which he was a sergeant, took 77 gun positions while in action in Africa, Italy and Holland, including battles at Banana Ridge in Tunisia, Pompeii, Monte Casino and Rimini.
While in Africa, Arthur served alongside Spike Milligan who maintained close contact with his regimental friends by way of regular reunions at the Union Jack Club in London.
The regiment then moved to Salerno and fought all the way up to Florence during 1943 and 1944 in the Italian Campaign before moving to Holland to help in the liberation of Beverwijk.
A spokesman for Wicksteed Park said: "Arthur fondly remembers the kind welcome and hospitality of the Burgomeister and aldermen of Beverwijk in Holland, some of whom attended the regimental dinner and dance annually at Bedford for more than 30 years following the end of the war.
"Many of 56 Regiment and their wives kept in touch and attended these events.
"As time passed the natural toll had its inevitable effect until 2007 saw the final dinner and dance with only 60 or so of the gunners remaining.
"The Burgomeister of Beverwijk has continued to express the gratitude of the people of the town and has invited members of the regiment to revisit the gun positions.
"On October 1 Arthur visited on his own and was invited to lay a wreath on the memorial to the people of the town who lost their lives during the Second World War.
"He has been formally invited to join the people of the town next year in marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of not only their town, but Holland itself."
The veteran has now been invited to be special guest at Wicksteed Park's D-Day Darlings event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Second World War.
The event includes performances of war songs, with all profits being donated to the Royal British Legion.
It starts at 7pm and tickets are 6.
To book, call the box office on 01536 512475.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
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