THE Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, led the town’s tribute on the 75th anniversary of VE Day yesterday, Friday, May 8.

At a ceremony at the Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial in Union Road, John Shaw, president, Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion, welcomed those gathered, which included many members of the Crediton RBL branch.

Mr Shaw said that Victory in Europe Day marked the day in 1945 when Britain and its allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, bringing the war in Europe to an end.

However, he added that in many other parts of the world, fighting continued, as did suffering and plight, for some time after.

He said many were not in a mood to celebrate and added that many suffered from years of deprivation and loss.

Mr Shaw paid reference to the Far East where, he said, "death and destruction continued".

He then read The Exhortation which begins "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old".

Then followed a two-minute silence as part of the 11am national silence, which gave Britons the opportunity to pause and reflect, remembering the lives lost and sacrifices made in wartime.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Mrs Natalia Letch, then laid a wreath on behalf of the town and people of Crediton.

This was followed by the laying of a wreath by John Higgs, president emeritus of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion.

In his speech after the wreath laying, Mr Letch said thank you to all those present and he also thanked them for observing social distancing.

He said: "These wreaths are laid on behalf of the town and people, the outward physical sign of inward spiritual gratitude to the men, women and children who gave their lives and are remembered especially on this VE Day anniversary."

Mr Letch added that he was just 11 months old on VE Day, but didn’t remember anything about it!

Mr Higgs laid his wreath on behalf of Crediton and District branch of the Royal British Legion, Crediton Hamlets Council and the people of Crediton. His wreath bore the words "We will remember".

Mr Shaw concluded the ceremony with the reading of The Kohima Epitaph, which reads: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today".

Earlier in the day, Philip Hutchens laid flowers at the Crediton and Hamlets War Memorial on behalf of the Exeter Branch of the Coldstream Guards.

He said he laid the flowers to remember Guardsman Derek Millard who was killed in action at Aden in 1965 and to remember other fallen Coldstream Guards (this weekend being the memorial weekend of the formation of the Regiment by General George Monck in 1650).

Many people from streets and communities in the town and across the area held impromptu tea parties, all while social distancing, to mark the anniversary.

If you have images of street parties and celebrations you would like to share with fellow Courier readers, please email them with a short report to: [email protected] .