Rushden Research Group: Higham Ferrers

Extracts from the Official Programme

Victory Day 1946

On Saturday June 8th 1946 the Borough held a celebration and
sports day, to mark one year since Victory Day.

PROGRAMME
8 a.m.	Three Saluting Rockets, fired by N.F.S.
9 a.m.	Further Three Rockets, followed by Reveille sounded by Mr. E. A. Groome, to denote commencement of proceedings.
9.15 a.m.	Peal on Church Bells.
9.30 a.m.	The Band will play round the Town.
10.25 a.m.	The Mayor, on behalf of the Council and inhabitants of the Borough, will place a Wreath on the War Memorial in memory of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice, 1939—1945.
10.30 a.m.	Special Peace Thanksgiving Service, conducted by the Mayor's Chaplain (Rev. T. H. Johns) and the Vicar (Rev. H. S. Hoar, B.A.), attended by the Mayor and Corporation, other organisations and schoolchildren. A United Choir will lead the singing. Forms of the Service will be distributed. The Service will be held on the Market Square. Everyone is invited to attend.
11.15 a.m.	Presentation of Gift to Scholars attending the Higham Ferrers Council Schools—A newly-minted 1946 SHILLING will be given to each Scholar.
11.45 a.m.	Presentation of Gift to Pensioners over 70 years of age. These gifts have been received from the Dominions of Australia and South Africa.
12.15 p.m.	Service Men and Women's "Welcome Home" Luncheon. The Mayor (Ald. H. R. Patenall, J.P., C.C.) will preside, supported by the Mayoress, the Deputy Mayoress, Ald. A. C. Allen, M.P., and the War Years Mayors—Ald. E. J. Jeffs, Ald. F. Walker, J.P. (Freeman of the Borough), Coun. A. C. A. Colton, Ald. J. W. Barker, the Deputy Mayor (Coun-E. J. Rowlett) and the Town Clerk (Mr. R. Heap). During the luncheon an illuminated plaque will be presented to each member of the Forces as a token of appreciation of their gallant services, from the Burgesses of the Borough.
	Tickets to the luncheon will be issued by the Committee.
2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.	Street Tea Parties, arranged by Secretaries in each district.
4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.	Sports in the Town's Sports Field.
7.30 p.m.	Special Children's Hour. Dancing and Games on the Market Square.
8.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.	Dancing on the Square. Music supplied by the Band and Mr. Jennings' Amplifier.
	Display of Rockets.
11.35 p.m.	Torchlight Procession, headed by the Band and N.F.S.
Midnight	Reassemble on Square. Concluding with "Abide With Me" and "The National Anthem."
	The Band (under Mr. M. J. Roberts) will play selections during the day.

DECORATIONS

The Committee especially invite inhabitants to decorate their houses.
Prizes will be offered for the Best Decorated Street in the Town.
Prizes will also be awarded for the best Decorated Houses.

Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and Mr. and Mrs. White have kindly consented to act as judges.

The Fallen In Order of Casualty.
Sergt.-Pilot Richard Samuel Pitts, R.A.F.
Petty Officer Samuel Ernest Charles, R.N.
Flight-Lieut. Wilfred Arthur Harris, R.A.F.
Pte. Alec G. C. Maple, Northants Regt.
Petty Officer Joseph Lewis, R.N.
Battery Sergt.-Major George A. C. Wilson, R.A.
Flight-Lieut. Peter Gifford Felce, R.A.F.V.R.
Flight-Sergt. William J. A. Spriggs, R.A.F.V.R.
Marine John Raymond Thorpe, R.M.
Sergt.-Observer Harold A. Cheeseman, R.A.F.V.R.
Sergt. Hugh Morris Felce, R.A.F.V.R.
Fusilier Edward N. Pickford, R. Innis. Fusiliers.
Sapper Felix Green, Royal Engineers.
Ord. Sig. William Mawson, R.N.
Gunner Clifford Raymond Loake, R.A.
L.A.C. William Bonham Mears, R.A.F.V.R.
L/Corpl. Clive F. Marriott.
Fusilier Henry Arthur Frederick Hume.
Seaman Roland Ernest Tebbutt, R.N.
Gunner Raymond Mawson, R.A.
Lieut.-Col. James C. J. Simpson, G.S.O.I.
"To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die."

The Illuminated Plaque to be presented
to each member of H.M. Forces and Reserves who joined the Services from the Borough during the War. Each plaque will bear the name of the recipient.

	A copy of this booklet accompanied the Illuminated Plaque shown above. [From the collection of Moyra Simmons]

The list of those who served has been compiled from the Records of the Parcels Fund
and it is hoped that it is a complete list. If, however, there are names missing, it will
be understood that it is by accident and not by design.

A De Luxe Copy of this Souvenir will be available on ordering through the Town Clerk.

Printed by the Rushden Echo, 5, Park Road, Rushden.
Blocks by Leader Engraving, Kettering.
Blocks of the various Chichele associations lent by "Rushden Echo and Argus."
Old Print of College Street lent by Mr. A. N. Groome.
Old Print of Market Square lent by Mr. and Mrs. W. Hales.
Photo of Charter lent by Mrs. Fred Randall.
The Souvenir compiled by Councillor F. G. Felce.

List of Those Who Served

Higham Ferrers Index Page