Aug 2020
VJ Day celebrations at Whitefriars
Residents at Whitefriars Care Home in Stamford celebrated Victory over Japan (VJ) Day with cakes and decorations. They took time to reminisce with care staff and remember their experiences in the war.
Residents at Whitefriars Care Home in Stamford celebrated Victory over Japan (VJ) Day with cakes and decorations. They took time to reminisce with care staff and remember their experiences in the war.
Victory over Japan took place on 15th August 1945, a momentous day at the end of the World War 2.
OSJCT Whitefriars is home to over 50 residents, many of whom lived through the War.
Barbara was just 17 when World War 2 ended. Her most prized possession is a photograph of her beloved husband in RAF uniform. In the years that followed the war, she lived in Leicester and brought up two children at home whilst her husband travelled and worked overseas.
Tony lived his later years in Stamford and was born in 1931. Tony completed 18 months of national service in Hong Kong in the years that followed World War 2.
He said: “I was part of the Wiltshire Regiment. Work was difficult but I enjoyed it. I learned a lot and made several good friends. Teamwork was a must!”
Leslie was born in Wales in 1929. He was 16 when World War 2 finished. He remembers his older brother, who was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was captured and held in France as a prisoner of war. He also recalls that his father spoke about being stationed in Egypt in the First World War. Later in his life, Leslie lived in Stamford and worked on the famous Burghley Estate.
OSJCT Activities Coordinator, Donna Moses, said: “Our staff and residents thoroughly enjoyed celebrating VJ Day. Our residents have fascinating stories to tell about war time and the years that followed it. Many have a treasure trove of pictures and mementos. We took time during the day to look at photographs, talk about loved ones and recall happy memories and of course the celebrations ended with a war time singalong of Vera Lynn classics!”