TODAY (Saturday) is the 65th anniversary of D-Day, one of the most crucial moments of the Second World War. It was the day that Allied troops crossed the English Channel and invaded occupied France, attacking the beaches of Normandy in one of the biggest

TODAY (Saturday) is the 65th anniversary of D-Day, one of the most crucial moments of the Second World War.

It was the day that Allied troops crossed the English Channel and invaded occupied France, attacking the beaches of Normandy in one of the biggest offensives against Nazi Germany during the war.

On the most western point of the invasions, at Gold Beach, a 24-year-old soldier called Dennis Taylor was among the first wave of men onto the shore.

He had married his fianc�e Edith only a week before back home in England. Save for one week in December that same year, the couple would not see each other again until Christmas 1945.

Dennis and Edith told their remarkable story this week to the Welwyn & Hatfield Times, from their home in Welham Green, where they have lived for the past 49 years.

Now 89, Dennis remembered the fateful day he attacked the Nazis with the 79th Armoured Division.

"We had shells flying over our heads; they were firing at us all the time," he said.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared."

Marking their "I'm sure we'll be celebrating with a glass of one or a pint on Saturday," added Edith.

To read more of Dennis and Edith's story, and for more pictures from Dennis's time in the war, buy this week's edition of the Welwyn & Hatfield Times.