08
May
GALLERY: VE Day is marked across the Harrogate district
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The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day was marked across the Harrogate district today, with celebrations for the end of the Second World War, and commemorations for those who didn't survive to see it.
At the Harrogate war memorial, junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, the Harrogate Victory branch of the Royal British Legion, Sea Cadets Harrogate and District, Harrogate Air Cadets and Harrogate Band were among those taking part in a 30-minute service.
The Last Post was played and a two-minute silence was observed.
Former army reservist Graham Roberts, who has conducted exhaustive research on the lives of those whose names are inscribed on the war memorial, talked about some of the lost lives.
He said the names of soldiers aged 16 to 60 were on the memorial and the first Second World War casualty died just 12 days into the conflict in 1939.
Here are some photos from the event.
The playing of the Last Post.
Junior soldiers
Graham Roberts
People turning up to pay their respects.
Cadets at the event.
Harrogate Band
Below are some of the other photos we've been sent. We'll be adding more as they come in.
If you've got any pictures you'd like to contribute to this gallery, please send them to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
VE Day flags were raised across the district. This one is in the atrium of St Peter's Church in Harrogate.
A service of remembrance, thanksgiving and resolve was held at Ripon Cemetery following VE Day in May 1945. This image is part of the Ripon Re-Viewed collection created by Ripon Civic Society and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
Air Raid Precaution Wardens in Ripon, celebrating the end of the Second World War. This image is also part of the Ripon Re-Viewed collection.
North Yorkshire Council’s Armed Forces champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, the council’s vice-chair, Cllr George Jabbour, and the council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les raised a flag at County Hall in Northallerton.
Jan Lis, 103, of Knaresborough is a Polish veteran of the brutal Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy, where he served as a sniper with the victorious Polish 2nd Corps under General Anders.
North Yorkshire Police community support officers visited residents at Thistle Hill care home near Knaresborough.
Staff decorating the home with flags and bunting.
At least one of the residents is an armed forces veteran.
Knaresborough town crier Mark Hunter read out a VE Day proclamation at the Market Cross, supported by Andrea Addyman.
Bilton celebrations
Bilton Community Centre hosted an event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Monday.
Complimentary tea, coffee and cakes were served to about 70 people, many of whom use the centre for meetings and social events.
A two-minute silence in memory of Bilton’s Second World War fallen was held prior to the start of the event.
The inside of the community centre was decorated with flags and bunting and the outside was adorned with knitted and crocheted poppies. There was also a display of 75 name tags of those people associated with Bilton, who were killed in the war.
Bilton Historical Society supported the event and gave the name tags. The eldest of the people killed was aged 48 and the youngest was 18 years old. There were four women and 71 men.
Bilton Historical Society also provided the event with a small display of local information, and photographs associated with VE Day 1945. It also brought along the research folders on Bilton’s fallen, and those named on St John's Church's and Bar Methodist Chapel's World War Two rolls of honour.
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