Allan Beckett, the designer of the floating roadway for the Mulberry Harbours of D-Day

Last week I attended the funeral of the widow (101 years old) of Major Allan Beckett, who designed the floating roadway for the Mulberry Harbours. The long roadways connected floating pier heads to allow the troops, equipment, and supplies to land successfully on D-Day.

He also came up with the Kite Anchor, which could provide the necessary 30-ton restraint to secure the roadway and yet be light enough to be deployed without a mooring vessel. Two thousand anchors were made subsequently. There was a memorial to Allan's work unveiled by the local mayor and Lord Dannatt in 2009 on the 65th anniversary at Arromanches featuring a full-size replica of the anchor.

There is also a beautiful large stained glass window at St. Peter's Church in Oare by Faversham, Kent, where he and now his widow are laid to rest. The window depicts a Mulberry tree, associated links to the harbour and anchor, and Allan's dates. It is well worth a visit.