UK: Dorchester soldier's D-Day memoir donated to museum

From planetradio.co.uk

Terry Parker kept a secret diary of the events 80 years ago 

A Dorchester soldier's reflections of the Normandy landings 80 years ago are being shared with the public.

Private Terry Parker kept a diary of his involvement in D-Day, even though troops weren't supposed to write anything down for security reasons. His memoir was hidden from view in his chest pocket, and has now been donated to the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester by his family.

                                                          Private Terry Parker served during D-Day, 80 years ago

Elliott Metcalfe, the Museum's Director said:

“We are delighted to add Terry Parker’s diary to the museum collection. It’s an important piece of Dorset Regiment history, narrating one of their most famous battles from the private soldier’s perspective. The diary and Terry’s touching story is available for all to see at The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester.”

An excerpt from the diary will be read aloud at the D-Day 80th Anniversary Beacon lighting Commemorative event on Salisbury Field tonight (Thursday 6th June) at 8.00pm.

Anyone's welcome to attend the event, organised by Dorchester Town Council, with the beacon lighting itself at 9.15pm.

Themes from Private Terry Parker’s diary, along with other local memories and recollections of D-Day and the build up to D-Day in Dorchester are also being transformed into an immersive theatre trail on Saturday (8th June) in Dorchester town centre from 1.00pm.

Seven different locations in the town centre will be part of the trail, with performances that bring history to life.

Each performance is based on real memories and historic accounts of Dorchester during wartime.

https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/dorset/news/dorchester-soldier-memoir-donated-museum/