A TAUNTON man embarks on an emotional mission tomorrow to mark his grandfather’s role in an operation key to ending the Second World War.

James Duder is tracing the route taken by the brave men who flew from England 65 years ago to secure Pegasus Bridge at the start of D Day, on June 6, 1944.

James, 32, is among 200 people running 62½ miles from Tarrant Rushton Airfield, in Dorset, to Portsmouth, where they will be ferried to Ouistreham to cover the 2.8miles to Pegasus, arriving at 00.16am on Saturday.

The arrival time is 65 years to the minute after the first glider landed at the bridge – it was towed by squadron leader Derek Duder in a Halifax bomber.

James, who travelled to Normandy for the 60th anniversary in 2004, said: “I’m doing it because of what my grandfather achieved.

“He was very quiet about it, but it’ll be amazing – it brings tears to your eyes.

“Everyone should go to Normandy at least once in their life to see what these incredible men did.”

A memorial with the names of the 181 soldiers who landed at Pegasus and Horsa Bridges along with Derek Duder and the other five Halifax pilots will be unveiled on Saturday.

James, who has run several full and half marathons, hopes to raise £1,000 for forces charities, including Help for Heroes.

Derek Duder flew a second operation on June 4, 1944 – for the second he towed a glider carrying a tank.

His son, Hugh Duder, who owns the County Stores, in Taunton, is also travelling to Pegasus for this weekend’s celebrations.

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