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Introduction

On Sunday 14 August 2005 it was almost 60 years to the day since ‘VJ Day’ marking the end of the war against Japan, and thus the end of World War Two. To mark this special anniversary in West Cumbria, the Egremont Branch of the Royal British Legion organised a ‘Veterans’ Parade’ through the town, followed by a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ for the end of the war.

This account of that event has been written by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer story-gatherer for the “People’s War” website on behalf of the ����ý Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk. The author understands the terms of the ����ý “People’s War” website.

World War Two Veterans on Parade

The first part of the 60th Anniversary commemoration of ‘VJ Day’ was a ‘Veterans’ Parade’ along Main Street, Egremont. Prominent among the marchers in the parade were several members of local World War Two Veterans’ Groups. These included the Border Regiment Association, the Parachute Regiment Association and the Normandy Veterans’ Association. Others taking part were members of Egremont Royal British Legion and neighbouring British Legion Branches. There were 10 Standard Bearers and about 100 wartime veterans taking part in the parade. Leading the Parade were local Sea Cadets and their band.

The marchers paid made due recognition of everyone who contributed to the war effort. The ‘Veterans Parade’ started from the Iron Ore Miners’ Memorial at the northern end of Main Street, Egremont and then marched to the War Memorial at the other southern end. All the veterans marching made an appropriate ‘eyes right’ at the War Memorial, and they laid poppy wreaths to remember fallen comrades.

After the poppy wreaths had been laid, the parade continued to the Parish Church of St Mary and St Michael, Egremont for a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’. The Reverend John Woolcock of St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church led the ecumenical service. The Standard Bearers lined up outside the church to form a guard of honour as a mark of respect to honour the wartime veterans as they entered the church, including those who were not well enough to march in the parade. Family and friends of the assembled veterans, plus members of the general public also attended the service, including the author.

The Thanksgiving Service for the end of the war

Firstly, all the veterans and others took their places the church. Secondly, Reverend Woolcock welcomed everyone to the church for the Thanksgiving Service ands in particular the veterans present. Thirdly, each Standard Bearer presented their Standard at the Altar, which remained there for the first part of the service.

Next, the Reverend Woolcock read the ‘Introduction’ that included giving thanks for all those who lived and died in the service of others and offered a prayer for all who had suffered through the war and were in need. Reverend Woolcock gave a special welcome to all the veterans present. He remarked how wonderful it had been to see the veterans marching as they had done so many times before during the war years. In fact, he thought the veterans had been so sprightly in their marching the Sea Cadets leading them had been too slow in heading the parade! This address was followed by four verses of the first Hymn: ‘Eternal Father Strong to Save’.

Following this Hymn, there was a Gospel Reading: St John, 15, 9-17. This includes the sentiment ‘Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends’. For many of the veterans who had served in the war this was a most appropriate reading. Some of their friends had given their lives so that ultimate victory would be achieved.

Following the reading, Reverend Woolcock reminded the people present what it was like 60 years before at the end of the war, after almost six years of hardship and toil against those who wished to destroy our way of life. He reminded everyone that on this day of commemoration we should also remember everyone who had made sacrifices during the war years: seamen, miners, Land Army Girls and others on the Home Front as well as those in the Armed Forces.

After intercessions and prayers for special intentions on behalf of some of those present, Reverend Woolcock led the congregation in prayers for world peace, the statesmen and rulers of the world and those who suffered in the war. The special intentions were followed by the second Hymn, three verses of ‘Now Thank We All Our God’.

Next was the ‘Act of Commitment’, again led by Reverend Woolcock, to help, encourage and comfort others and support those working for the peace and welfare of nations. Then, everyone was invited to recite ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ (“Our Father, who art in heaven …..).

The Standard Bearers then proceeded to the Altar and went to at the sides of the church while the third Hymn was sung (‘O God, our help in ages past’). Everyone in the church was invited to stand for the ‘Act of Remembrance’ and the ‘Last Post’:

(Reverend Woolcock): “Let us remember before God and commend to his sure keeping those who have died for their country in war, those whom we knew and whose memory we treasure, and all those who have lived and died in the service of mankind”

‘The Last Post’ was sounded from the back of the church, and the Standards lowered. One of the Egremont British Legion veterans present read the fourth verse of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’:

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them”.
(Spoken by Mr Joe Moore)

All those present repeated the last line of the poem: “We will remember them”. There was a minute’s silence, followed by the ‘Reveille’ and the raising of the Standards. Mr Joe Moore (ex-Navy and the President of Egremont RBL) then quoted the epitaph attributed to the English John Maxwell Edmonds (1875-1958), from ‘Inscriptions Suggested for War Memorials'(1916):

“When you go home, tell them of us and say:
For your tomorrow, we gave our today”.
(Spoken by Mr Joe Moore)

This epitaph was particularly relevant on this 60th Anniversary of 'VJ Day'. It has a special meaning to members of the Burma Star Association, and especially the 2nd Infantry Division. The epitaph is inscribed Kohima 2nd Division Memorial remembering the Allied Fallen who repulsed the Japanese 15th Army attempting to invade India in May and June 1944, at a great cost in lives.

The Reverend Woolcock then gave a ‘Final Blessing’, and the service concluded with two verses of the ‘National Anthem’ (‘God save our gracious Queen …’). The Standard Bearers led the veterans, their families and others present out of the church. As everyone left the service, Reverend Woolcock shook his or her hand and thanked the person for coming.

‘Standing down’ of the parade

The Sea Cadets band led the Standard Bearers to the nearby building of the Royal British Legion where the parade was ‘stood down’. Some of those who had taken part in the parade either went into the British Legion for some ‘VJ Day’ entertainment. Others took the chance to talk over past shared experiences, or pass some time among friends reflecting upon the anniversary of the end of the six long years of the war.

One person I was able to talk to briefly was Mr John Lowrey. John was a veteran of both the Dunkirk evacuation and the Normandy Landings. He explained to me about the significance of the parade being given the command ‘Eyes right!” as those taking part marched past the War Memorial to the church for the Thanksgiving Service.

The ‘eyes right’ command indicated the great honour and remembrance those marching had for their comrades who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in the battles they had fought. This was but a small gesture but one of great meaning for those who remembered the real cost that led to victory at the end of World War Two. John also told me it is important to him that he takes part in commemorations, and he has never missed one in the 60 years since the war ended. It was privilege to listen to these deeply felt sentiments on this day, almost 60 years to the day of the end of World War Two.

Unfortunately, I was not able to obtain the names of all those who took part in the ‘Veterans Parade’ and ‘Thanksgiving Service’. However, for those veterans and their families I was able to speak with it had been a very moving occasion.

Conclusion

It was appropriate that some members of Border Regiment Association took part in this 60th Anniversary of 'VJ Day'. During World War Two, three battalions from the Border Regiment were involved in the Far East war against the Japanese.

The 'Veterans Parade' through Egremont on 14 August 2005 paid was a remarkable occasion, even if it was more reflective in nature than 'celebratory'. It was a time to give thanks for the victory at the end of the war and to remember fallen comrades or family members.

One important point to note about this event at Egremont is that so many veterans, their families and friends, plus relatives of those who had died during the war, felt it important to attend and remember. Even though World War Two had ended exactly 60 years before, the memories of those times remain as vivid as ever.

Let us never forget!

[This article is dedicated to all those who took part in the parade, whether they were service men and women or served on the Home Front].

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