This coming week sees the 70th anniversary of VE Day and 70 years ago Allied forces fought for our countries and several million lost their lives to ensure the freedoms we enjoy exist today.
Please, at the General Election on Thursday, whoever you support, go out and vote.
World War 2 started in September 1939 and as the Country sent troops over to France, defences at home were also very much a concern. The Battle of Britain, a campaign of air attacks by the Germans running from July to October 1940 brought the war to England. Horndean was very much affected by this as you can see in the “Horndean At War” article on the top right of this blog.
Horndean Parish Council, like others across the country played their part and took a lead role in organising the enrollment for the Air Raid Precautions volunteers. A large sign was placed at the junction of Five Heads Road and Portsmouth Road outside what was then the Village Hall listing the number of volunteers needed, and their expertise. It is difficult to make out but the list includes First Aiders, Dispatch Rider Motorcyclists, Wardens, Telephone Operator Clerks and others. At the time of this photograph 40 of the 80 required volunteers had been found with a plea for anyone who had not volunteered to fill in a form and put it in the box.
Today the village square is the location of the war memorial celebrating those who gave their lives for us today.
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