IN MONTY’S FOOTSTEPS

“To me, Monty was simply ‘Grandfather’. To many though he was a national hero.”

Henry Montgomery, grandson of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery and Trustee of the Normandy Memorial Trust

“Intrigued by this, I visited the Imperial War Museum to look through his diaries. I was struck by the scale of his journey in the weeks before D-Day – travelling the length and breadth of Britain, meeting the troops, watching training exercises and visiting factories. The purpose was to raise morale not just in the troops but in the country as a whole.

Inspired by this, I am going on a journey of my own – ‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ – and I invite you to join me.

Henry next to his grandfather on the steps of Monty’s ‘campaign caravan’ in summer 1959 aged 5, and General Montgomery in North Africa during the Second World War.

Over the course of eight weeks of travelling through Britain and Normandy, I hope to uncover and share the human stories behind that moment in history, while supporting the educational work of the British Normandy Memorial.

Every one of the more than 22,000 names on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour has a story. Through its education programme, those stories are brought to life – helping young people understand not just what happened then, but why it matters today.

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ will reflect on the national and individual collective effort, sacrifices and personal stories that shaped and ultimately ensured the remarkable success of D-Day and the Normandy Campaign.

I would be so grateful for your support in helping to preserve the legacy of these people and their stories for future generations by becoming a Memorial Guardian or making a one-off donation.”