Insight
The Royal British Legion were organising a very special trip to commemorate D-Day 75. The majority of veterans from Normandy were well into their 90s, some over 100, so it was recognised that the 75th commemoration would be the last of its type. The commemoration for D-Day 75 was an international affair and included invites to the President of the USA as well as key leaders around the world.
The brief: “We want to get 250 veterans onboard a ship to sail back to French shores. We want to recreate the crossing the veterans undertook 75 years ago. The event will be emotional for all, so it is essential the veterans have a chance to relax, get together with old comrades and enjoy some light relief onboard the boat. We need a PR agency to help hire top talent who will happily entertain the troops.”
Implementation
We had no budget to hire acts, so we needed to invite those onboard who would be honoured to perform. After compiling a list of top targets, invites and discussion began apace with agents and PR companies. We wanted acts that would appeal to veterans in their 90s and we only wanted performers that ‘would do anything to be there.’
Logistics were tricky. Targets on our top list were often very keen, but already booked, in another country or needed to be on the other side of the world the next day. So, many challenges arose. However, by the time of departure, a stellar cast list was ready to take centre stage.
Impact
Every day the veterans of D-Day were treated to a very special performance or activity onboard. Acts included musicians, dancers, magicians even an historian was waiting in the wings! Launching the proceedings, thanks to a special deal developed with the Royal British Legion’s press office, Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster, wished all the veterans well and Rod sang ‘I’m Sailing’ before the boat set sail.
After this, the veterans were very keen to find out what else was going to happen during the week! A real mix of performers followed, feeling like a ‘fraud’ (his words) veteran TV presenter and historian, Peter Snow, gave a lecture on how the D-Day invasion helped bring about the end of WWII. His lecture was jam-packed with veterans all hanging on his every word, with many of them explaining that they didn’t get the news when they were in the war, so had no idea really what had been going on.
Star of Strictly, AJ Pritchard, flew in to perform live on stage. Strictly is a show loved by the veterans and a lucky 92-year-old female veteran was whisked off her feet for a very special waltz on the ship’s dancefloor. Lance Corporal Richard Jones, winner of Britain’s Got Talent gave two shows and wowed the crowds with his magical feats. Much-loved by the veterans, the D-Day Darlings stayed onboard and were a big favourite, singing the songs made famous by Vera Lynn. The darlings’ voices took the veterans on a journey back to yesteryear for a performance they’ll never forget.
“Our veterans had an amazing time onboard! Travelling on a journey of remembrance can be very emotional, it was essential veterans had somewhere to go and meet fellow comrades as well as somewhere to take their minds off of what happened 75 years ago. Thanks so much Big Wave PR.”
