British Normandy Memorial

The site in Ver-Sur-Mer overlooks Gold Beach and records every name of those under British command who lost their lives between the D-Day landings on 6 June and 31 August when the campaign concluded with the liberation of Paris.

Designed by architect Liam O’Connor, stone columns with the 22,442 names have been inscribed by master stonemasons S. McConnell and Sons, who engraved the names at their headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Carpenter Oak’s role in the project included the frame design, manufacture and erection of the pergola structure that covers the stone columns, comprising 84 beams and around 500 joists, using over seventy cubic metres of oak.

We also made wooden trellises, made up of 600 slats of larch and 22 large oak benches which allow visitors to sit and reflect on those who gave their lives.

The architect was passionate for the main structure to be in oak; for the oak to be sourced locally to the site and carved there.  Adam Milton, Founding Director at Carpenter Oak, who managed the project, said: “It was an honour to work with the engineers and architects and bring our expertise in oak to help them achieve their vision and create this historical landmark.  This is one of those projects I’m immensely proud to have been involved in – a place to take the grandchildren one day.”

The British Normandy Memorial was officially opened on Sunday 6 June 2021, exactly 77 years on from the landings.

You can find out more about the British Normandy Memorial at britishnormandymemorial.org

Image credits: Architectural drawings: Liam O’Connor Architects, site images: britishnormandymemorial.org