The 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
The 60th anniversary of the last major global conflict was marked in Wealden at a VE/VJ Commemoration Day held in Uckfield on Saturday.
Second World War veterans from all corners of the district were honoured at a lunchtime reception at the town’s Civic Centre, hosted by Councillor Mrs Pat Kennedy, Vice-chairman of Wealden District Council.
Earlier in the day the High Sheriff of East Sussex, David Tate, OBE, laid a wreath at the Uckfield memorial as a tribute to those who died in the Second World War.
Some of those who took part in the war, either on active service or on the home front recorded their memories in a book provided by Wealden District Council. These will be forwarded to East Sussex County Council’s Home Front Recall project which is seeking to archive residents’ memories of the war years.
Memories recorded included those of a soldier who fought in Burma, another who was taken prisoner in France and spent the remainder of the conflict as a prisoner of war in Poland and a Canadian soldier who trained at Crowborough and took part in the Allied advance as far as Oldenburg. Sailors’ memories included serving on motor torpedo boats in the North Sea and submarine repair ships in the Far East. Those who remained home remember catering for troops in the district and the damage caused by German doodlebugs and aircraft crashing in the Sussex countryside.
“The VE/VJ Commemoration was a very special day,” said Councillor Mrs Kennedy . “It was a tremendous honour to talk to the veterans and we are grateful to all those who attended. It made me realise the debt we owe today to the people who gave so much during the period 1939-45.”
The VE/VJ event was attended by around 2000 people and included a display of 30 military vehicles, a fly past by a World War Two Dakota aircraft, and a Dad’s Army re-enactment. Music was provided by the Eddie Bryan Big Band and a Scottish piper.
Children were given a free booklet Remembering The Second World War in Wealden.
The VJ Party for Peace was very well attended and guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Ian James Big Band. Everyone who attended thought that it had been a wonderful evening.
The Town Council had also mounted a display of memories and stories of the wartime era in the lobby of the Civic Centre.
These events was funded by National Lottery grants.
