Culture, History, Poole | Posted on March 19th, 2025 | return to news
Poole commemorates role in D-Day
The blue plaque which commemorates the town’s contribution to Operation Overlord has been replaced at Customs House.
Poole played a crucial role in D-Day 6 June 1944, and in 1984 a plaque was unveiled at Customs House to mark the 40th anniversary.
Sadly, last year one of the clips holding the plaque in place broke and the plaque fell to the ground.
Funding for a replacement was secured through Community Infrastructure Levy funds and the new blue plaque was installed at the end of February.
Operation Overlord – the codename for the Battle of Normandy – saw nearly 160,000 troops crossing the Channel.
Local companies were instrumental in supplying boats and associated materials needed for the D-Day war efforts.
Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for Customer, Communications and Culture for BCP Council, said: “Poole played a pivotal role in the D-Day landings as the third biggest embarkation point for Overlord forces – helping to liberate Europe and defeat Nazi Germany.
“It is vital we remember that contribution and we all continue to tell and retell these stories when there are no eyewitnesses or participants left decades on from the momentous events.”
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