NEWHAVEN FORT 2008
Battle of Britain Memorial Day 2008
By Jim Still
Sunday, September 14th 2008.
A really great day at the Fort for Battle of Britain Memorial Day with over 700 people in attendance. Re-enactors were in abundance with plenty of music to keep the feet taping once the Swingtime Sweathearts got going who shared the afternoon entertainment with the Brighton Jive Dancers. At around 2.30pm The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight "DC3 Dakota" buzzed the Fort in salute to the day.
The day was topped off with the playing of the Last Post and Reveille by County of Sussex Trumpeter to the Royal British Legion, Miss Heidi Watkins, played in memory of those famous few that we owed so much to.
One minute silence was observed and you could have heard a pin drop. People said afterwards how eerie and moving it was after all the music and gaiety of the day.
No doubt the Fort staff gave a sigh of relief when they eventually put up their feet at the end of that day!
Some of the Military Vehicles at the Fort
Jim Still
Tony Oliver from Chailey with just part of his re-enactment group
Jim Still
Captain Nick Walsh and Nurse Natasha Aiken from Crawley who were manning a recreated field hospital on the Dunkirk beach area which was set up in one of the forts tunnels. Nick runs a living history unit which is a unit member of the "Great War Society" and a regular visitor to the Fort.
Jim Still
On the left is Burma Star veteran Gordon Thomerson from Haywards Heath,. Center is County of Sussex Trumpeter to the Royal British Legion Heidi Watkins. on the right is another World War II veteran Tony King From Durban South Africa. Tony and Gordon joined the army together on the same day but then went off to different theatres of war, so it was nice for them to be re united once more. In the foreground is Heidi's dog "Sargeant Gwynn" in uniform for the day.
Jim Still
Re-enactor Col.Jim Still with a blast from the past Charley Hutchins. Both are ex members of Newhavens Tug Meeching. Charley was Chief Engineer and Jim was a Deck Hand
Jim Still
Another Blast from the past in attendance on the day was the original Dennis Fire Engine delivered to Newhaven Fire Brigade in 1939. It is in beautiful condition and a credit to its present owner. In the picture is its owner Phil Stevens and an ex Fireman (Basil) that crewed this engine all those years ago.
Perfect weather for the event
Jim Still
The Swingtime Sweethearts pose with a Flight Sgt.
Jim Still
And I'm sure "We'll meet again"
Jim Still
This page was added by
Jim Still on 17/09/2008.