A carol service and lunch at Bowood on Tuesday was the final gathering of the Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veteran’s Association after the national group disbanded.

Lord and Lady Lansdowne hosted the service for the Wiltshire branch of the NVA, the main organisation for British survivors of D-Day, in the chapel followed by lunch at the Bowood House restaurant.

Lord Lansdowne said: “It is always extremely poignant when veterans and their families gather after all these years, particularly at Christmas.

“The intimacy of the Chapel at Bowood House and the fact that this was the last social occasion for the Wiltshire Branch of the Normandy Veterans’ Association made the service and the lunch that followed particularly moving.

“It has been a great honour to be the Wiltshire branch’s patron.”

The NVA, which had 14,000 members at its peak, is calling it a day after the decision was taken to call a dignified halt to the association, rather than continue until there are no veterans left alive.

Richard Palusinski, secretary of the Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veterans’ Association, said: “It was an outstanding event, a great conclusion to what has been a remarkable year.

“Every month since June we have had at least one major event – it’s been a very very busy year.

“To be able to finish the year off with something so enjoyable and memorable was really important.”

The branch is set to use residual funds to enable continued social contact between members, including attendance, where possible, of the annual Spirit of Normandy Trust event as the Wiltshire Normandy Veterans.