- Home
- News / events
- Avenue Road
- Biggin
- Buckingham Road
- Census 1841
- Chapels
- Charities & poor relief
- Church
- Church Street
- Directories / descriptions
- Enclosure
- Families / people
- Farms
- Fire insurance
- High Street
- Horn Street
- Maps
- Market Square
- Medieval & 16th century
- 19th-20th Centuries
- Oral history
- Parish Council
- Photographs
- Pubs
- Railway
- Redfield
- Schools
- 17th-18th Centuries
- Sheep Street
- Shipton
- Station Road
- Tanneries
- Tinkers End
- Turnpike
- Vicarage & Verney Roads
- Western Lane
- Wills
- Windmill
- Winslow Hall
- Workhouse / Hospital
- World War One
- Sitemap
- Links
- Search site
- About us / contact
Victory Day celebrations, 1946
Victory celebrations after the end of World War Two were held in June 1946. Victory Day took place on 8 June.
Buckingham Advertiser, 15 June
Winslow Crowns a Victory Queen
Memorable Scenes In Market Square
Three Forces Men Head Long Procession
BRITANNIA AND PEACE : COLOURFUL RETINUE
Winslow celebrated Victory Day with a mammoth procession, the stately crowning of a Victory Queen on the old Market Square and a series of attractions, for young and old, that were carried through in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon all who took part and especially upon the enterprising and energetic officers and Committee responsible. The only official who disappointed the Committee was the Clerk of the Weather.
The programme of events arranged, marred, unfortunately, to some extent, by rain, also included teas for children and “the gay young sparks” of 65 and over and evening dancing under cover as inclement conditions prevented dancing on the Market Square.
Market Square Service
With the bells of S. Laurence’s ringing, the people of Winslow began the day by assembling on the Market Square for a brief and appropriate service conducted by the Vicar of Winslow (the Rev. St. J. H. Beamish, R.D.), beginning with an impressive introduction and including prayer and thanksgiving and the hymns “All people that on earth do dwell” and “O God, our help in ages past.” Mr. H. G. Carter (representing the Free Churches) gave the appropriate Scripture reading from Micah (ch. 4, 1-7).
In a stirring address, given at the invitation of the Vicar of Winslow, Mr. H. Cornwall Jones, Vice-Chairman of the Committees’ said; “To-day we join with our fellow countrymen throughout the land in a united service to give grateful thanks to God for our deliverance from the wild nightmare of war.” God did not make wars. The sound of battle was a man-made noise, a horrible shattering discord of death and destruction. Its evil “hell-noise” was the result of a low standard of life, creating discord and jealousy and of the lust for power in evil-minded men. God was not responsible for these two conditions which were both the result of man-made greed. The power had been given to remove these pitfalls of civilisation; but secular or political action only would never fully succeed.
“The Faith of the Spirit”
Without the faith of the spirit the evil in man’s heart could not be overcome. “It is our bounden duty,” continued the speaker, “to see that mankind shall never again be subjected to the barbarity of war, so useless, so phantastic and so brutal. The young children we see around us to-day are the citizens of tomorrow and the future will be in their hands. Whilst we are re-building for them let our work be such that the foundations of peace shall be secure against all storms that they may be able to achieve the four freedoms and a lasting peace. With a strong and purposeful faith we can re-build the world free from international jealousies. Without such faith, the whole structure will collapse about our ears. Let us strengthen our belief in God, our faith in our neighbours near and far and the religious aspect of life and there is no doubt that was [sic] can be expunged from the vocabulary of nations.”
To the youth of Winslow he would say “learn to serve one another,” which they could only do if they feared God and had complete faith in Him and mankind. Let them lift up their hearts to him, in praise for the splendid opportunity which lay before them and not neglect their duty in establishing a real world peace
Tribute To The Fallen
After the singing of the National Anthem, a wreath-bearing party of members of the Winslow Branch of the British Legion, headed by Standard-Bearer Saunders, proceeded to the War Memorial on which a wreath was placed from the people of Winslow in remembrance of those who had made the Great Sacrifice. The wreath was placed by Mr Garlike Jnr., the other members of the Colour Party being Mr. Lanfear, Mr. Holton and Mr. Sturgeon.
The station field, which had been methodically marked out for the different sections of the parade, was the ideal rallying ground for the procession and here the fancy dresses were judged by Wng-Commander [sic] F. Evans, D.FM., the Hon. Ruth Hubbard (Mayoress of Buckingham), the Hon. Francis Hubbard, Mrs. Davies (Great Horwood Rectory), Mr. T. Biggs (County Council member for Winslow). There was a very large entry. The task of the judges was extremely difficult, the standard of entries being exceptionally praiseworthy among both children and adults, the judges highly commending their ingenuity and cleverness and asking that each competitor should be awarded a prize. Mr. E. Byford was marshal with Messrs. Allen, Hanley [Hamley?] and Gurnett as stewards.
Forces Lead The Way
The judging over, a long and colourful procession made its way by the flag-adorned High-street and other Winslow thoroughfares, to the Market Square. At the head, symbolizing the thought in the minds of London’s crowds assembled for the Victory Parade, marched a trio of Winslow members of the Forces, each bearing the appropriate flag. They were L. Woolston, a telegraphist in the Royal Navy, Cyril Dobbs, a driver in the R.A.S.C. and Jack Smith, a fitter in the R.A.F.
Behind, on a vehicle, gay with flags and flowers, rode the Victory Queen, on a daffodil-coloured throne, Miss Dorothy Lanfear, 14-years-old twin-daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lanfear, of Winslow. Graceful and regal in her bearing, her youthful Majesty was in a gown of figured silk, with high Elizabethan collar and with crimson and ermine robe and she carried a bouquet of red and white roses and her Maids of Honour were in gowns of daffodil hue with sashes and ribbons of mauve and with sheaves of irises. In elegant and colourful pageantry followed her retinue and an imposing tableau of “Britannia” in magnificent attire, true to tradition, and of “Peace.” The Deputy Queen, Miss Shelia Askham, accompanied the Queen.
Those in the retinue and tableaux were:- Maids of Honour : Ann Askham, Frances Lambourne, Patricia Snowdon; Peace : Barbara Gibbard, Britannia : Valerie Peel; Heralds : Peter Crane, Allen Gibson, Donald Cotton, Terry Goodman; Courtiers : Irene Keys, Betty Gibbard, Betty Scott, Janet Rolfe; Flower Girls : Patricia Parry, Dorothy Battams, Sylvia Chapman, Sally Scott, Eve Scott, Joyce Hawkins; Pages : Albert Comerford and Grahame Keys. The handsome costumes and dresses were designed by Mrs. Rolfe, Mrs. Randell, Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Dale. Vehicles were lent by Messrs. Hancock, Vine and Webber.
Vivid Tableaux
In a pageantry of vehicles was a grim reminder of war’s tragedies and of the R.A.F.’s technical efficiency in a damaged typhoon display of the Maintenance Unit, manned by R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. personnel. The Winslow Red Cross Detachment (Commandant Mrs. Foster) staged a vivid tableau on wheels depicting the work of the Red Cross, including First Aid (Mrs. Brazier), Rest Centre (Miss Blackburn), Care of the Aged (Miss Dancer), Wounded Soldier (Miss Midgley), Convalescent (Miss Foskett), with Winslow nurses of the Detachment in attendance. “Guiding’s Aid to Victory” was the title of another effective tableaux on a flower decorated and horse-drawn vehicle lent by Mr. Monk and staged by Mrs. Cubbage and Winslow Guides, each of the Guides representing a feature of Guiding including: - Salvage (S. Askham), First Aid (J. Price), Signalling (M. Lanfear), Baby Management (R. Gilbert), Resistance (B. Morgan), Messenger (S. Mullis), Canteen (A. Forster).
A mammoth loaf of bread, one of a number of allusions to the bread-saving campaign, was a conspicuous feature of the long procession of pedestrian fancy dress competitors. Mrs. Perkins, with a perambulater [sic] heavily laden with dolls was represented as “drawing the family allowance.” Mr. Millward was the perfect fashion plate dame in “no coupons” and there were many cheers for Old Mother Hubbard (Mr. Gaskins), her dog and her cupboard. There were tributes to the G.P.O. designs, recalling letters from the Fronts. A party from Northfield House contributed a variety of clever representations. Among the children were delightful gollywog, Chelsea Pensioner, clown, Robin Hood, flower girls, Land Army girls, Eastern and Spanish ladies, Red Indians including an Indian on horseback cycle (Master Illing), rajah, a tiny jockey, John Snowdon, on a white pony, various victory designs, a trio of maidens styled as “the Phillips trio,” charmingly presenting Faith, Hope and Charity and many others deserving of special mention.
Mr. Bob Turnham provided music en route and invaluable musical & announcements assistance throughout the day. The young children placed small posies on the war memorial, the procession halting for this.
Crown’s Victory V
The procession drew up at the Market Square for the crowning ceremony which was gracefully performed by Mrs. E. Illing, one of Winslow’s oldest and best-known residents. The boys and girls of the Court played their parts with exemplary gallantry and the Queen performed her duties to the satisfaction of all. White-robed heralds made a stately procession and the boy crown-bearer, who bore the crown on a cushion, acted with befitting dignity. The centre piece of the magnificent crown was a “V for Victory” in gold.
Before the crowning, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, addressed her Majesty, “Members of the Royal Court, Ladies and Gentlemen,” pointing out that the ceremony symbolised “the final goal of the war endeavours of the nation – the last act which tells us that the final overthrow of your Majesty’s enemies is complete and irrefutable.” “Our proud hope,” he continued, “is that there will never be the necessity to repeat this ceremony in the years to come.” He also pointed out that the Committee were unanimous in suggesting that the delightful ceremony should be performed “by a Winslow resident well-known and well-loved by all for her qualities of charming courtesy and graciousness.” The Victory Queen most graciously replied on behalf of her Royal Court and the children of Winslow and thanks were charmingly proposed by the Deputy Queen to Mrs. Illing who was presented with a bouquet and who happily replied.
The rain which had marred the opening proceedings of the day, waited until the close of the ceremony to descend in copious showers and the royal procession departed beneath the proffered umbrellas and overcoats of various loyal subjects.
Fancy Dress Prizewinners
In the fancy dress competition there were 29 classes and the following were the prizewinners: - 1st J Snowden, Maureen Whybrow, Dorothy Turner, Carol French, Christopher Dickens, Donald Beane, Peter Gibson, Margaret Dale, Anne Parry, Ruth Turnham, John Allen, Brian Seely, Brian Morgan, Christine French, Shirley Stokes, Denis Hamley, Rodney Higgins, Oliver Illing, Stella France, Betty Saving, Barbara Orme, Josephine Comerford, Dorothy Perkins, Daisy Hillyard, Mr. and Mrs. Gaskins, Mrs. Comerford, Betty Dormer, Winslow Red Cross Detachment, Winslow Girl Guides, the Phillips Trio (Faith, Hope ad Charity), Mr. Vine “Salvage” and the Royal Air Force Detachment.
Other prize winners : Molly Wren, Margaret Chapman, Michael Cripps, Leslie Saving, Doreen Wren, Kathleen France, Grace Ann Walton, Isabel Plant, Pat Orme, Fred Cotton, Rodney Plant, Jennifer Bull, Pamela Cripps, Yvonne Wilson, Rita Carter, Colin French, Wallace Gibbard, John Hopkins, Thomas Langston, Barbara Orme, Mr. and Mrs. Millward, Ada Bissel, Ivy Stannett, Rose Ewbank, Doran Ansell, Annie Storwood, Mrs. Perkins, Lottie Landing, Edie Cook, Malcolm Wilson.
Mr. W. H. Butcher was Chairman of the Committee with Mr. Cornwall Jones as Vice-Chairman and Mr. A. E. Garlike as the indefatigable Secretary and the members were Mr. Dobbs, Mrs. Randall, Mrs. Dale, Mrs. Keys, Mrs. Lambourne, Mrs Wilson, Mrs. Higgins, Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe, Mr. Monk, Mr. Rushen, Mr. Cox, Mr. F. Illing, Mr. R. Gibbard, Mr. R. Langley, Mr. French, Mr. Spatcher. The sports have been postponed on account of the rain.
Children’s Memento
The children were presented with a card in gold lettering bearing the words : “The Townspeople [sic] of Winslow present this card to the succeeding generation to express the gratitude of all freedom-loving peoples for the termination of the Second World War, remembering with eternal sympathy the grief of the bereaved and offering our prayers for the future peace of the world.” The children also receive a small money gift.
Forces’ Members’ Thanksgiving
On the following Sunday (Whit-Sunday) evening, by special invitation, members of the Forces who have returned to Winslow attended a service of Thanksgiving, conducted by the Vicar of Winslow (the Rev. St. J. H. Beamish) who gave a brief, impressive address, well-suited to the occasion and there were appropriate hymns and musical features. The different Forces were represented and wives, mothers and other relatives were present by invitation. Brig. N. McCorquodale read the lessons.
See also: