They did not grow old - VE Day recalled

Many countrywide events were scheduled to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE day, 8th May 1945, the ending of WWII in Europe. Among many in Hornchurch whose names appear on St. Andrew’s War Memorial I have singled out a few who were personally known to me who lost their lives in that conflict.

 I regret that some of the stories about these young men are incomplete, but the passage of over 70 years had made contact with relatives virtually impossible. In addition as I spent the last 4 years of WWII in the Royal Navy I was away as events at home unfolded.

Russell Spencer,

2nd Hornchurch Scouts.