EVERYONE is probably aware that this year saw the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. We commemorated VE Day on May 15th and VJ Day on August 15th and back in 1945, on both these occasions, a large number of hastily organised celebrations took place locally. It was decided at government level, however, that official celebrations would be postponed until the month of November.

The reason for this was so that events to commemorate the end of the Second World War could be combined with those that already existed commemorating the end of the First World War, as Armistice Day is of course November 11th. It meant that holding a major celebration and remembrance in November 1945 allowed the government to combine both wars into a broader reflection on peace and sacrifice. It also allowed time for mourning, reconstruction and demobilisation and for the honouring of returning servicemen and women, and plans being made for medals, pensions and reintegration.

Many churches held special services, and schools and communities held special events to educate young people about the cost of war and the value of peace. Unlike the euphoric scenes of May and August, November 1945 was a quieter, more reflective time and marked the country’s journey into post war rebuilding.

What happened here in Chesham?

The Chesham & District Thanksgiving Week was designated as November 24th to December 1st 1945. The target was to raise the sum of £75,000. This money was part of the National Savings Movement which aimed to raise funds to finance government spending. In actual fact, the target was considerably outstripped and the total at the end of the Thanksgiving Week came to £162,128.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24th 1945

On Saturday November 24th there was a Grand Thanksgiving Parade and Opening Ceremony. The Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Lord Cottesloe, CB, VD, TB, took the salute from a dais in the Broadway, a huge crowd lining the streets.

The parade was under the direction of Captain V N Cryer and the procession was led by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Navy, Army and Air Force contingents were strongly represented by both men and women and they were joined by the Home Guard, the Sea Cadets, the Army Cadet Force, Land Girls, the St. Mary’s Church Lads Brigade Band, the WVS, Bucks Police, British Legion, British Red Cross and Order of St. John, Girls’ Training Corps, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Factory Workers and the National Fire Service which included the ARP wardens. The parade assembled in Brockhurst Road, then marched via Essex Road, Berkhamsted Road, Broad Street, High Street and Market Square into Germain Street.

The focus then moved to the Opening Ceremony which took place in the Co-op Hall, Upper High Street. This was sited where we find the T G Jones shop today, and the Inaugural Address was given by the Lord Lieutenant, who reviewed the past and present and looked with confidence to the future.

A speech was also made by Mr Geoffrey Bell, Chairman of Chesham Urban District Council who pointed out that although we had passed through six terrifying years, the impact upon Chesham was not very heavy either physically or materially. He had travelled in Europe in the past 18 months and had seen ruins which were once flourishing towns, where everything had been destroyed. Seeing these things had made him realise what Chesham had to be thankful for.

A Grand Display of Fireworks had been planned for the evening, to be set off on Dungrove with everyone watching them from the Park, but this had to be cancelled as the fireworks failed to arrive. It was replaced with a searchlight display by Messrs Lyon with a huge “V” sign in the sky and the surrounding hills lit up by the glow of the searchlights.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25th 1945

Sunday afternoon of Thanksgiving Week saw a special service at the Broadway Baptist Church conducted by the minister, Rev. P E Pegg. A united choir with Mr Reginald Howard at the organ led the singing and the sermon was given by Rev. C L Bell, Vicar of Tongham who emphasised two points – Sacrifice and Thanksgiving.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 26th 1945 – ROYAL NAVY DAY

The speaker was Commander Fred Jackson, who wore Navy uniform and sported medals for Africa, Atlantic, Italy, 1939-45 and a Reserve Decoration which spoke of flawless service. After hoisting the White Ensign at sunrise, they hoisted a special signal “Give thanks to the Royal Navy by exceeding your target”. This flew throughout the day.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27th 1945 – ARMY DAY

Captain Hartley spoke on behalf of the Army, and in his honour a contingent of C Company, 3rd Bucks Cadet Battalion, paraded in command of Company Sergeant Major Jordan. Two CLB buglers were also in attendance.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28th 1945 – ROYAL AIR FORCE DAY

It was appropriate that the speaker was Squadron Leader Len Ashton, Chaplain to the RAF who was a local lad. He also continued the general theme of giving thanks to all those who stayed at home and supported the armed services and of looking to the future.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29th 1945 – FACTORY WORKERS DAY

This took the form of an Exhibition of local war-time industry at the Town Hall in the Market Square and revealed the war-time activities of some of Chesham’s well known traditional industries.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30th 1945 – YOUTH DAY

The Youth organisations of the town put on a Torchlight Procession of 200 Torches after dark, which started on the horizon of Dungrove and gradually moved down through the town and into the Park.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st 1945 – COUNCIL DAY

The final day of Thanksgiving Week when it was revealed that the total amount of money raised was £162,168.