New Milton Remembers the VE80 anniversary
Over 100 New Milton residents, young and old, joined New Milton Mayor, Cllr Alvin Reid, at New Milton War Memorial, in a community Act of Remembrance for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
New Milton Town Council and the New Milton Royal British Legion branch worked together to organise the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Thursday 8 May 2025 and were delighted with the support shown.
As the community assembled around the War Memorial, Town Cllr John Adams played the bagpipes and the traditional tunes of “Flower of Scotland” followed by “Amazing Grace”.
The service opened with the Exhortation, then followed by the Last Post, Silent Reflection, and Reveille. RBL member, Ron Back, recited the Kohima Epitaph highlighting that four New Milton men were remembered on the War Memorial for making the ultimate sacrifice fighting the Imperial Japanese Forces at the Battle of Kohima and the Siege of Imphal in North West India.
We remember their names:
Eric Knowles Dean of the Devonshire Regiment killed in action on 11 April 1944 at Imphal.
Raymond Clarkson of 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment killed in action on 3 May 1944 at Kohima.
Harold Garrett of the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment killed in action on 11 May 1944 at Kohima
Vernon Edward Bulgin of the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment died of his wounds on 14 May 1944 at Kohima.
Students representing Arnewood School were in attendance and delivered outstanding recitals of poignant poems. Liz Ricci Zambeli and Emmanuel Phiri recited poems “Perhaps (1916)” by Vera Brittain and “At the British War Cemetery, Bayeux” by Charles Causley.
The service concluded with prayers delivered by Senior Pastor Tom Rothwell from New Life Church.
New Milton Mayor, Cllr Alvin Reid, said: “I’m very proud to attend this Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial for VE80. It is always a great honour to stand side by side with the community in remembering everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom in the years that followed. We will remember them.”
Chairman of the New Milton RBL, Lee Fleming, will arrange an informal Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Friday 6 June to remember the 81st anniversary of D-Day and the battle of Normandy.
The 42nd anniversary of the end of the Falklands Conflict will be remembered at the War Memorial on Saturday 14 June.
Further information from the RBL New Milton Royal British Legion | Facebook
Further information available from:
Graham Flexman, Town Clerk
New Milton Town Council
Email: info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01425 619120
Dated: 20 May 2025