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      • Village Hall Hire
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      • Creation
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      • Ardleigh Cemetery
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      • Fees and Regulations
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      • Forthcoming and ongoing
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      • Platinum Jubilee 2022
      • Past
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  • Ardleigh
    • Ardleigh History
    • Geographics and Maps
    • Village Design Statement
    • Ardleigh Advertiser
    • Parochial Charities
    • Recreation Ground
    • News
  • Neighbourhood Plan
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    • Our Plan
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Ardleigh Parish Council

Ardleigh Parish CouncilArdleigh Parish CouncilArdleigh Parish Council

75th anniversary VJ Day 2020

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

 My father George Douglas Whitfield served in the RAF from July 1940 – April 1946.  Most of this, until his return to the UK in April 1946 was in Burma and India with the RAF supporting the Burma Campaign..

The Fourteenth Army, known to many as ‘The Forgotten Army’, numbered over one million men under arms, the largest Commonwealth army ever assembled. Air lines of communication were crucial: some 615,000 tons of supplies and 315,000 reinforcements were airlifted to and from the front line, frequently by parachuted air drops, and 210,000 casualties were evacuated. The Royal Air Force and the Indian Air Force, supported by carrier-borne Fleet Air Arm aircraft, provided constant offensive bombing sorties, together with fighter cover and essential photo-reconnaissance in support of the Army. Towards the end of the War, RAF Liberator aircraft carried out some of the longest operations ever flown to drop mines into the Pacific. At sea, the Royal Navy and the Royal Indian Navy provided the landing craft, the minesweeping operations and the combined operations necessary for the coastal offensive in the Arakan, as well as providing gunfire support from seaward. The Royal Marine Commando, as well as Royal Marines from the units of the Fleet, took part in the Arakan operations.

The Japanese surrendered on 15 August 1945, now known as VJ Day.

Chris Whitfield

(Ardleigh Parish Councillor)

Tendring Memorial Service

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

Councillor Tim Barrott laying a wreath, featured in the virtual service.

A memorial service covering the whole of Tendring was held virtually on Saturday 15 August just before 11am.  To watch it, please click the link below

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Watch the event

Cllr Chris Whitfield

The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’

Cllr Chris Whitfield

Councillor Chris Whitfield

Cllr Chris Whitfield whose father George Douglas Whitfield serviced in Burma & India from 1940-1945

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Cllr Chris Whitfield

VE75 FRIDAY 8th MAY, 2020- SuGGESTED informal events in our

11am

Two minutes' silence on our doorsteps

1pm

Picnic Lunch outside our homes

3.00pm

National Toast and Churchill speech broadcast

6pm

Sing-along to war time songs (amplified music on Colchester Road but please stay at home)

9pm

The Queen and Vera Lynn 'We'll meet again'  on the BBC

SATURDAY 9th MAY 2020- cancelled

12 noon - Parade of Vehicles-cancelled

Starts from Prettyfields Vineyard in Dead Lane


We have gathered together a wonderful collection of WWII vehicles,  vintage tractors, cars and motor-bikes

12.20am - Walking Parade- cancelled

Joins at the rear of the vehicle parade from the school playground. 

We hope to have a brass band leading this part of the parade.


All welcome - dress appropriately: 1940’s garb or red/white/blue;  bring your wheelbarrows if you like.


‘Winstonion Churchill’ will be present!

1.00pm - Party on the Recreation Ground & Millennium Green- cancelled

(parking for disabled only)


  • Hog roast and other food available
  • Cake stall & ice-cream van
  • Full bar, Prettyfields wine tasting, Coffee to Combat


 Some of the activities we hope to be there: 

  

  • ‘Mad Bounce’ bouncy castles 
  • Penalty shoot-out, quick cricket, bowling
  • Fancy dress competition
  • Face painting; music from 1940's and later
  • Debbie Millar & dancers  
  • Assault course challenge
  • SRC’s digger challenge
  • Stour Valley Organic Lavender, Horticultural Society
  • Candle-making, painting stones, cribbage, junk modelling
  • 1940s vintage clothing, walking sticks stall   

SUNDAY 10th May, 2020

There will be a VE75 themed church service for Dedham and Ardleigh Parishes available online on the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtpxpLp854CdAKzTdnbWuQw 

Other events planned for Sunday including celebration concert and memorial have been cancelled 

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