spilsby.info
As we were unable to celebrate the 75th anniversary of V-E Day due to Covid 19 restrictions the Branch was determined not to let the V-J day anniversary pass without marking it with a service and parade. With social distancing in mind, several members of the Branch and members of the public attended at the war memorial in St. James churchyard for the service given by Canon Peter Coates. Our Standard was paraded by Standard Bearer Michael Lenton and the parade was marshalled by WO1 Danny Atkinson who travelled to Spilsby specially for the occasion.
Mister Brin Strong recited the exhortation and President Ron Worth laid a wreath on behalf of the Branch, also reciting the Kohima Epitaph; ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.’ A fitting epitaph for those who lost their lives fighting a vastly superior Japanese force whilst defending Kohima on the border with India in 1944.
We were lucky with the weather. Although grey and overcast it did not dampen the spirit of the occasion and the half-hour ceremony went off without a hitch, during which the Last Post was played by Gary Cole, followed by a 2-minute silence and Reveille.
The Branch Chairman extended his sincere thanks to Canon Peter and all those who paid a part in the proceedings and for all those who found the time to attend.