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Jane Hutt joins veterans at 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the liberation of ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Finance and Government Business Minister Jane Hutt have recently joined veterans of the 53rd (Welsh) Division to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.
146 Welsh soldiers died during the four day battle to free the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in October 1944.
The Minister will attend the official naming ceremony of a new bridge in honour of those who liberated the town and will lay a wreath in memory of the Welsh soldiers who lost their lives in the battle.
Earlier this year, the First Minister received a Davey lamp from the permanent memorial in the British War Cemetery in 's-Hertogenbosch as part of Armed Forces Day. The lamp was delivered to Wales by a group of cyclists from the city, and presented to the First Minister by the Mayor of s-Hertogenbosch as a symbolic coming home of those killed.
Jane Hutt will say:
“I would like to pay tribute to both the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the October 1944 Foundation for keeping alive the memory of what happened here all those years ago. The links that have been forged between our Nations will last for many years to come.
“It is hard to imagine the scene that awaited soldiers from the 53rd (Welsh) Division, but their bravery and courage in adversity remains an inspiration to us all. The naming of the town’s bridge will stand a lasting monument of the sacrifices of not only those who liberated the town, but also the local people who endured such hardship under the Nazis oppressive rule.”
2014 is a landmark year with the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the D Day.
