VE Day 75
Welcome to Tring's online pages to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
On 8th May there will be a video for us to come together as a community.
It will be available to watch from 2.50 pm (and will remain there afterwards)
Peace in Europe was announced at 3 pm 8th May 1945
“When VE Day dawns on 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.
Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets to celebrate peace,
mourn their loved – ones and to hope for the future, but not forgetting those still in conflict.”
Tring's VE75 Commemoration - Friday 8th May 2020
Tring Remembers
As part of the commemoration of VE Day in 2020, the 75th anniversary, we're putting together this collection of memories and photos of World War II from Tring residents.
As veterans of the conflict themselves, and even their children, grow older, stories about the war and its effects at home are not always passed down to younger generations. This project is a chance to ask questions, share stories, and capture some of those memories -- whether first, second or even third hand -- before it is too late.
We are asking local residents to tell us what they remember -- and to share the stories they may have been told by parents or grandparents. Not stories of Tring, necessarily, although there are people who remember life in our town during those years, but of the way the war reached into people's lives all around the world.
Our collection of some of these stories will, we hope, serve as a collective act of remembrance for Tring and its residents.
Tring Remembers
Serving Royal Air Force Officer, Air Commodore Mark Chappell leads the act of remembrance and retired Royal Air Force Officer, Air Marshal Sir Michael Simmons KCB AFC lays the wreath on behalf of the military and the Worshipful the Mayor of Tring, Councillor Mrs Roxanne Ransley lays a wreath on behalf of the community.
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. We will remember them.
TWO MINUTE SILENCE
When you go home tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow we gave our today.
A cry for peace
Oyez Oyez Oyez God Save The Queen Citizens, one and all, Please join this cry for peace, that you now hear from me. Remember men & women, old & young, who died to make us free. The women left at home did not just sit and wait. They toiled in harsh conditions before dawn to very late. Factories, farms, other essential jobs, the women were quick at learning. They worked, some died, to keep the home fires burning. As we remember this special day, do not forget that every day someone needs your aid, Do not put away your poppies, letting your memories fade. Celebrate with the knowledge that VE Day is also a time to remember, Beyond the solemn wreaths of the 11th of November. Let’s thank all those who have gone before, with their colours proudly unfurled. Join us as united we say, “Peace to the world”.
The Nation's Toast
Tring Brewery were one of the original partners and sponsors of Tring's #VEDay75 events.
They had been planning to brew a beer similar to what would have been on offer in the 1940’s. This would have used a heritage malt variety known as Chevalier and a mixture of Fuggles and Goldings hops from Kent. When normality returns they will look to brewing this for another occasion, maybe VJ Day or Remembrance Day.
We would like to invite you all to join the nation and to raise a glass to make a toast to the heroes of World War 2.
"To those who gave so much. We thank you"
(Two of Tring's nonagenarians raise a glass)
The Battle's O'er
Pipers will be playing this piece at the summit of the highest peaks in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The piper in our video will be the one on the summit of Snowdon, so how do we have a recording of him for our Tring commemoration?
It is thanks to the CastleTrex Pipers. CastleTrex is a charitable event which involves serving soldiers and ex soldiers walking from Windsor Castle to Edinburgh Castle whilst playing bagpipes, to raise money for The Household Cavalary Foundation and The Royal British Legion. Last year they visited Tring Brewery on a very hot August afternoon to rehydrate! They have been sent some Tring Brewery Beer to be waiting for them when they get off the mountain.
Keep an eye out for him on the news.
Photos of Tring 1939 - 1945
we are grateful to Mike Bass for these photgraphs
