- Contributed byÌý
- ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cumbria Volunteer Story Gatherers
- People in story:Ìý
- James Cropper FCA, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, John Saltham, James Hughes 'Jimmy', and a thousand WW2 veterans.
- Location of story:Ìý
- Whitehaven, Cumbria
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A4354940
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 04 July 2005
Sunday 26 June 2005: Standard Bearers from Royal British Legion Branches, Veterans and Service Associations waiting to take part in the official County of Cumbria 'Victory Parade' at Whitehaven, Cumbria. About 1000 WW2 veterans and 37 Standard Bearers took part. [Photograph by Joseph Ritson].
This article has been submitted by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer story-gatherer for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk at the Whitehaven Maritime Festival, 24 - 26 June 2005. The Festival also incorporated the official county of Cumbria Commemoration for the 60th Anniversary of World War Two.
Over 1000 World War Two veterans from all over Cumbria, the U.K. and from overseas took part in the official Cumbria County 60th Anniversary of the ending of World War Two. The central part of these official events was a ‘Victory Parade’ by the veterans, other ex-service personnel and existing service men and women from many nations. The Parade was organised by the Royal British Legion in Cumbria, who should be recognised for making it such a successful event.
There was an estimated crowd of up to 250,000 people watching the parade. It was believed to have been the largest military parade in Cumbria since 1945. It is unlikely there will ever be another gathering of World War Two veterans in Cumbria quite like it.
Marching along with the veterans were 37 Standard Bearers from Branches of the Royal British Legion or Veterans Associations from all over the country, as well as Bands representing the RAF, the Army, the Navy and the Royal Marines. Two of the RBL Standard Bearers taking part in the Parade were John Saltham from Carlisle British Legion and Jimmy Hughes from the local Kells British Legion, Whitehaven. Unfortunately I was unable to record the names of all the Standard Bearers who took part, but all of them contributed to the wartime commemoration.
The parade marched from St Nicholas’ Church on Lowther Street to the harbour side at Whitehaven, where the salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mr James Cropper, FCA. The Lord Lieutenant was representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the event.
Veterans and spectators alike were clapping, cheering and crying during the Parade, sometimes all three at the same time. For all those veterans who took part they must have been proud to have taken part. Every one of them deserved the recognition they received for their contribution towards the final victory in 1945. In truth, it was a very emotional occasion for all concerned.
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