WAR veterans and Weymouth and Portland residents came together to commemorate fallen American soldiers on US Memorial Day.

A sizeable crowd – undeterred by the weather – turned up for a service at the American War Memorial on Weymouth Seafront yesterday to remember the US soldiers who have sacrificed their lives over the years.

During a short service led by the Reverend Philip Elliot, wreaths were laid at the memorial by Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kevin Brookes, Vietnam veteran Lynwood Newman, and others.

There was a minute’s silence, during which standard bearers lowered their flags out of respect for all the fallen US soldiers.

In particular, the American War Memorial remembers the sacrifice of American soldiers on D-Day in 1944.

The major part of the American assault force which landed in France on D-Day launched from Weymouth and Portland harbours.

Mayor Kevin Brookes said: “I think these services are becoming more and more well attended. We seem to get more of the public stopping to view them.”

He added: “As things go on, remembering these events may get harder as people’s personal recollections and memories of these things fade.

“It is important now that future generations don’t forget their sacrifice and it’s important that we continue to remember after they are no longer with us.”

Poppy Butcher, a Freeman of the Borough, was at the unveiling of the memorial in 1947 and served during the war.

She said: “I knew so many Americans during the war. We used to dance with them and have them up for tea.”

Paul Compton, chairman of Weymouth, Portland and District Merchant Navy Association, said: “We have come along to pay our respects to the fallen of the United States.”

When Americans set off for France in 1944, they sailed in Merchant Navy Ships, he said. 

There was also a special mention for Private Joseph Bruce at the memorial service, a British soldier who died during the First World War on May 29, 1917 – 100 years ago to the day.