We must always make time to remember
Despite the difficult circumstances, it is important that as a City we continue to mark remembrance events, which are important days on our civic calendar.
Today marks the 76th Anniversary of VE Day, an event which has much meaning for our veterans and organisations which advocate for them such as the Royal British Legion.
To make sure the day is remembered we have arranged for a party of 6 to attend the Old Steine War Memorial at 11am today with social distancing.
This will include the Chair of the Brighton and Hove City Branch of the Royal British Legion Mary Mears along with the Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion. I will also be attending.
Having served in the Queen’s regiment of the British Army I have seen first-hand the work that organisations such as the Royal British Legion do.
The Legion is dedicated to supporting not only serving and ex-serving personnel but the whole of the Armed Forces community, including dependants and carers.
This includes Serving personnel, Reserve or Auxiliary personnel and Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK as well as past and present members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families.
Our veterans are in good hands with the Royal British Legion and it is fantastic that this year the legion put out its own manifesto forward ahead of local elections to shine the light on veterans’ issues.
This time last year, the 75th anniversary of VE day was held in the middle of the first lockdown and could only be marked by residents in this City from their own homes.
The Queen led the commemorations in a poignant televised address where she said Britain's response to the coronavirus epidemic that has filled empty streets with "love".
Thanking the wartime generation, the Queen said: "They risked all so our families and neighbourhoods could be safe. We should and will remember them.”
We have many people to remember in Brighton and Hove. Our Old Steine War memorial has 2,390 names on it recognising the great sacrifice our city’s men and women made.
In a week where we have all been able to vote in a vibrant set of multi-party democratic elections, it is very worthwhile reflecting what these people died fighting for.
We should also remember what happened in our own city during the war and on VE Day.
Last year, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, The Argus ran a series of photos showing how VE Day was marked in Brighton and Hove with street parties.
It also published the recollections of Gordon Herwitt who was nine when the war ended and spoke of the street party on John Street, Brighton on VE Day. He said:
“Our street was quite heavily bombed during the war. One day we were playing in the street and a Messerschmitt came straight for us. Mrs Gray, who was looking after us, ran out of the house, picked us all up, and took us indoors. It was just like that, you didn’t think much of it at the time.”
He said of VE Day:
“We were fed up nice and proper, especially considering there wasn’t much food around at the time because of rations. We had the party right outside the shop and everybody was there.
Our position on the South Coast made Brighton particularly close to the war and our residents certainly felt its effects.
Kemp Town was hit particularly badly. In September 1940 a lone bomber dropped 20 bombs across Edward Street and Upper Rock Gardens.
Only last month, the Argus reported on unexploded bomb being found in Stanmer Park – a reminder of the tough moments the residents of this city faced during the blitz.
Today’s VE Day will be the first without the much loved Sussex resident Dame Vera Lyn who passed away in June last year.
Like many, I was very sad to see the passing of such a wonderful local figure.
I had the pleasure to get to know Dame Vera and her family during campaigns to save the local Princess Royal Hospital Haywards Heath and was delighted to remain in contact afterwards and since.
It was always a delight to see how everybody reacted when they met her and she would always have time to stop and talk to everyone.
Dame Vera was the salt of the earth, she was always staggered with the fame and love which her career brought her.
Dame Vera was the hope of many who served and lived during World War 2 as she reminded them all of better times to come.
Rest In Peace Dame Vera, your duty is done. Ours will continue as we make sure we remember them.
ENDS.
