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The article has been written by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk at the Maritime Festival held at Whitehaven on 25 — 26 June 2005. The Festival also incorporated the official county of Cumbria 60th Anniversary ‘Victory Parade’ commemorating the end of World War Two. It has been submitted with the permission of Joe Toner from Whitehaven, Cumbria who kindly shared a few of his wartime memories, particularly the songs he still knows so well. The author fully understands the terms of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ "People's War" website.

During World War Two Joe and his twin brother Pat served as ground crew in the RAF. They also sang in an Air Force Concert Party with a Canadian by the name of Don Roberts (See Article Reference ID A3837503). After the war, Joe continued to entertain people by singing at the local British Legion and other places in and around West Cumbria. However, Joe told me he had not sung much in public for a number of years.

On Sunday 26 June 2005, Joe and his wife Joan marched in the 'Victory Parade' with approximately 1000 veterans of World War Two. As part of the World War Two commemorations at the Whitehaven Festival there were a number of celebrations of the songs and music, allowing people to relive some of the happier times they spent during the war years. One of the last official wartime commemorations was a 'Sunset Ceremony' with music from the Army 'Waterloo Band' on the Sugar Tongue at Whitehaven harbour.

Joe and Joan were standing on the Sugar Tongue and sang along to all the well-known tunes from the war years, leading other members of the large crowd in a musical celebration of the war. Joe showed he had lost none of his enthusiasm for the music or the songs. An officer currently serving in the Army and the local Sea Cadets saluted while Joe sang along to the Waterloo Band. It was a most uplifting occasion.

After all the songs had been sung, the Last Post was played. The official Union Flag was lowered from a sailing ship berthed on the Sugar Tongue. This marked the end of the World War Two commemorations and the Whitehaven Maritime Festival.

Joe and his dear wife Joan are keen to keep alive the memory of the war years with the younger generations. Joe is a member of the British Legion and the Normandy Veterans Association. In recent years Joe has helped students who wish to learn about the events of World War Two. Likewise, Joan has helped students to learn about the war and has visited local Junior Schools on several occasions to talk about the war years. Joan has also contributed to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ "People's War" website (Article References A3856647 and A3856692).

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