AN EX-FORCES organisation is looking for new recruits to breathe new life into its programme of activities.

Wrexham branch of the Normandy Veterans’ Association (NVA) was set up just after the Second World War for men who had served in the D-Day invasion of Hitler’s “Fortress Europe” in 1944.

However, over the past 60 or more years its membership has gradually dwindled as those who actually served in the campaign passed away.

Now, as the branch prepares to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the landings, its chairman says it would welcome an influx of new members.

Ted Edwards, 85, of Caia Park, said: “Of course, it is not likely we will now get anyone who actually served in the campaign but we would like to have new associate members who perhaps have a close relative who was in Normandy.”

Mr Edwards joined the Green Howards at the age of 19 in 1943 and on June 6, 1944, landed on Gold Beach with the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the field artillery. He eventually fought his way through a series of bloody battles to Germany and the Nazis’ final surrender in May, 1945.

He added: “When I became branch chairman I said I would be proud to carry on until the last man standing – and that’s what I intend to do. We originally had 30 to 35 members but now we’re down to about a dozen who are still active but, like me, they are all getting on a bit. A lot of members are disabled and aren’t able to march or go on parade now.

“We still take part in the mayor’s annual service in Wrexham and the mayor was kind enough to invite us to the Guildhall.

“On Sunday, June 6 we will have our major event of the year, the annual D-Day service, which will take place at 11am at our memorial stone near the Memorial Hall in Wrexham.

“We would like to invite as many people as possible to join us.”

Anyone interested in joining the NVA’s Wrexham branch can call Mr Edwards on 01978 266317.