June 2024 saw the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings (or ‘D-Day’), part of the Allied invasion of Normandy during WWII. Numerous memorial events have subsequently been taking place over the last few weeks, with one particularly memorable spectacle occurring at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer on 6th June. Alongside numerous politicians and leaders, Welsh singing icon Sir Tom Jones joined in commemorations, giving an emotional rendition of ‘I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall’.
The song was originally performed as a tribute to Tom’s late wife Linda, but it turned out to be perfect for the D-Day service, lending an emotional and respectful feel to commemorations. Tom’s moving vocals, meanwhile, carried the song with the vigour and vitality, with the singer describing the “honour” he felt after being asked to perform at the event. “It is a momentous occasion that reminds us of the limitless sacrifices of that campaign,” he said on social media, “and it will be beautiful.”
And beautiful it certainly was. Elsewhere at the event, King Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted the 23 D-Day veterans in attendance, whilst earlier in the day commemorations had begun with a military piper playing on Gold Beach at exactly 7:26am, in commemoration of the moment the invasions began. Alongside Tom Jones’ poignant vocal performance, these moments resulted in a beautiful ceremony that certainly achieved its goal of honoring those who participated in the Normandy Landings.
The D-Day memorial events did not mark the first time Tom had brought tears to people’s eyes in a live setting with this particular song either. Back in 2022, he gave an impromptu performance of ‘I Won’t Crumble When You Fall’ on an episode of The Voice UK, after numerous fans in the audience enthusiastically requested that he sing for them. Accompanied by only a piano, Tom’s strong, clear voice rang out across the room as he sang, bringing tears to the eyes of a fellow judge, singer Anne-Marie.
Commemorating an event as significant but also as tragic as the D-Day landings with the respect it deserves can’t have been an easy thing to achieve. Fortunately, Sir Tom Jones was on hand to help, and he clearly gave every ounce of emotion and respect when singing ‘I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall’, remembering those who gave their lives at the landings and honoring those who are still with us today in the process.