Service remembers D-Day wounded

The hospital admitted 400 casualties in the first 24 hours

Casualties of the D-Day landings and the hospital staff who treated them are coming together for a special service.

Many of those injured in the battle for Normandy were brought back to the military hospital at Royal Victoria Country Park, near Southampton.

Veterans who were taken there and some of the medical staff who treated them are gathering from 1230 BST.

They will take part in a service to commemorate the brave work of medical staff during wartime.

The Royal Victoria Country Park which Hampshire residents enjoy today is such a tranquil and scenic setting, it seems a world away from the events of 60 years ago Councillor John Waddington

Historian Patrick Kirkby will show a film about the American Army and Navy medical staff who ran the hospital during the D-Day invasion.

The first mass of casualties arrived at the hospital after midnight on 11 June, with the hospital admitting over 400 patients in the first 24 hours.

Recreation and Heritage head councillor John Waddington said: "The Royal Victoria Country Park which Hampshire residents enjoy today is such a tranquil and scenic setting, it seems a world away from the events of 60 years ago.

"This makes it all the more important for us to take time to remember the important role that Royal Victoria Hospital played, the staff who were based there and those who were treated there."