80th. Anniversary of V. E. Day will be marked on Bramley Park at the War Memorial on 8th. May 2025 beginning at 10.40am.
Below is the speech made by King George VI on 8th. May 1945 which will be read at the start of the service:-
THE VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY SPEECH OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
Delivered by His Majesty on May 8th, 1945
Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance. Speaking from our empire’s oldest capital city – war-battered but never for one moment daunted or dismayed – speaking from London, I ask you to join me in that act of thanksgiving. The enemy who drove all Europe into war has been finally overcome.
In the Far East, we have yet to deal with a determined and cruel foe. To this we shall turn with the utmost resolve and with all our resources. But at this hour, when the dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and homes in these islands, we may at last pause for thanksgiving and then turn our thoughts to the tasks all over the world which peace in Europe brings with it.
Let us remember those who will not come back – their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy; let us remember the men in all the services and the women in all the services who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing. Then let us salute in proud gratitude the great host of the living who have brought us to victory. I cannot praise them to the measure of each one’s service, for in a total war the efforts of all rise to the same noble height and all are devoted to the common purpose.
Armed or unarmed, men and women, you have fought, striven and endured to your utmost. No-one knows that better than I do, and as your King I thank with a full heart those who bore arms so valiantly on land and sea and in the air; and all civilians who, shouldering their many burdens, have carried them unflinchingly and without complaint.
Let us resolve to bring to the tasks that lie ahead the same high confidence in our mission. Much hard work awaits us, both in the restoration of our own country after the ravages of war and in helping to restore peace and sanity to a shattered world. The Queen and I know the ordeals which you have endured throughout the Commonwealth and Empire. We are proud to have shared some of these ordeals with you and we know also that together we shall face the future with stern resolve and prove that our reserves of willpower and vitality are inexhaustible.
There is great comfort in the thought that the years of darkness and danger in which the children of our country have grown up are over and, please God, for ever. We shall have failed and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will. To that, then, let us turn our thoughts on this day of just triumph and proud sorrow and then let us take up our work again resolved as a people to do nothing unworthy of those who died for us and to make the world such a world as they would have desired, for their children and for ours. This is the task to which honour now binds us. In our hour of danger we humbly committed our cause into the hand of God and He has been our strength and shield. Let us thank Him for his mercies and in this hour of victory commit ourselves and our new task to the guidance of that same strong hand.
The Order of Service
THE EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF VICTORY IN EUROPE
Thursday 8 May 2025 | 10.40am
A service of thanksgiving and remembranceat Bramley War MemorialOrder of Service 8 MAY 1945
1
Councillor Kevin Ritchie & Rev’d Paul GreeninThe Rev’d Julia Wilkins, Rector of Bramley, then presidesHeaviness may endure for a night: All: But joy comes in the morning. God has been our refuge and our strength: All: A present help in time of trouble.Dear FriendsWe have come together today, in the presence of Almighty God, to commemorate the 80th anniversary ofVictory in Europe. We think of the joyful thanksgivingthis day 80 years ago when hostilities in the Europeanwar came to an end, when people gathered incelebrating, sharing laughter and love and comfort. Weremember with deep gratitude and sorrow the manysoldiers, sailor, airmen and merchant mariners who gavetheir lives that we might live in peace; we honour alsothe firefighters, air raid wardens, ambulance crews,Home Guard, and all those whose valiant efforts on theHome Front – in the factories, foundaries and coalmines,on the farms and in the fishing boats – helped ensurethe production and supply of vital goods. We commitourselves to work for an enduring peace.
THE GATHERING AND WELCOMETHE VE DAY SPEECH OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
Welcome from The Chair of Friends of Bramley WarMemorial, Councillor Adele Rae
2
HYMN: DEAR GOD AND FATHER OF MANKIND
1 Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence praise.
2 In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.
3 O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!
4 Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
5 Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm.
3
THE PRAYERS
Oh God of truth and justice,
We hold before you those men and women who have
died on active service, particularly in the Second World
War, whose sacrifice brought Victory in Europe, whose
courage we honour and whose memory we cherish.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this
broken world and grant us the grace to pray for those
who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put
our faith in your future, for you are the source of life
and hope, now and forever.
Lord, hear us
All:
Lord graciously hear us
We pray for all those whose life has been scarred by
war or conflict, those who have been injured in body
and mind; and we pray for the members of the Armed
Forces, the Merchant Service and all seafarers who may
be in danger this day, remembering family, friends and
all who pray for their safe return.
Lord, hear us
All:
Lord, graciously hear us
4
We pray for all who bear the burden and privilege of
leadership – political, military and religious – asking for
the gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for
reconciliation and peace; we pray for peacemakers and
peacekeepers who seek to make and keep this world
secure and free.
Lord, hear us.
All:
Lord, graciously hear us
O Lord our God, as we remember, teach us the ways of
peace. As we treasure memories, teach us to hope. As
we give thanks for the sacrifices of the past, help us to
make your future in this world.
Lord, hear us.
All:
Lord, graciously hear us.
BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 5:3-9
Jesus said:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
lessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.
5
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
THE ACT OF COMMEMORATION
Let us commemorate before God
all those from our community who,
for the defence of freedom,
the cause of peace and the service of others,
died in time of war.
EXHORTATION
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them
.
All:
We will remember them.
THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
The Last Post Bugle Call signals the two minute silence.
TWO MINUTE SILENCE.
The Reveille Bugle Call signals completion of the silence.
WREATHS AND CROSSES WILL BE LAID.
6
THE ACT OF COMMITMENT
Let us remember those who so selflessly gave their lives
at home and abroad, whose sacrifice enables us to
enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.
Let us remember those who came home wounded
physically and mentally and the families and friends
who cared for them.
Let us remember those who returned to restore
relationships and rebuild their working lives after years
of dreadful conflict and turmoil.
Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives,
sons, daughters and sweethearts.
Let us remember the servicemen, merchant seamen,
miners, brave civilians from our communities and from
the Commonwealth and Allied countries who fought,
suffered and died during the years of war.
Let us remember those in reserved occupations and the
brave people who kept us safe on the Home Front – the
doctors, the nurses, the firefighters and air raid wardens;
the men and women who took on the jobs of toiling in
the fields and in the factories who paid such a vital role
in the war effort at home.
All:
Lord God our Father,
We pledge to serve you and all humankind in the
cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering.
Give us wisdom, courage and hope as we strive for a
world that You would have us know. 7
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King.
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save the King.
THE BLESSING
God grant to the living grace
To the departed rest,
To the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all
people,
Unity, peace and concord,
And to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting;
And the blessing of God Almighty,
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be among you and remain with you always. All:
Amen
This event will be photographed.www.bramleywarmemorial.comFacebook: @bramleywarmemorial