Photos of Witham

Part of the Victory parade in 1945, showing the Essex Regiment’s army cadets in Newland Street

Taken: May 1945, Source: Braintree and Witham Times. Neg is at ERO, Acc. A9314., Ref: M647

Part of the Victory Parade passing down the wide part of Newland Street. This shows the part with the Essex Regiment army cadets taking the salute.I mistakenly called them the Home Guard in the Images book.

The three in a line in the front of the parade, bottom left of photo, are, left to right, (1) Captain Chapman (print manager at E T Heron), (2) A Regimental Sergeant Major from Braintree (3) Andy Devine who worked at British Oxygen and wouldn’t do ‘eyes right’ as he should, because there was a Conscientious Objector on the stand.

The front three cadets of the three columns are (4) on left, Raymond Hazlewood (Company Sergeant Major), with (5) behind him possibly his brother Kenny. (12) in the centre Donald Royce, and (16) on the right Edward (Stan) Phillips.

In the cap just behind Stan (20) may be Les Hansell (older, invalided from Royal Engineers with bad leg, hairdresser near Jubilee Oak in Collingwood Road).

Stan Phillips, born c 1930, was the source of most of the information. He said he joined the cadets with a friend by going to see Mr McKinley[?] at the old electricity office in Collingwood Road, who decided whether to let you in. You could join at 13 if tall or later if not.

Near bottom right, Inspector Herbert Chaplin of Witham (became Inspector 1927, posted to Witham 1933).

In the background, left to right, are part of 88 Newland Street (with big Union Jack), 86 Newland Street, 84 Newland Street (single storey, former Post Office), 82 Newland Street (single storey, gable, Hunwick), 78 Newland Street (bow shop window), 76 Newland Street and 74 Newland Street (these two all one building, with mansard roof), 72 Newland Street (with blind), 70 Newland Street (smaller, pale, corner of Guithavon Street), 68 Newland Street (gable facing camera, big white sign below gable), 64 Newland Street (behind tree, Bellamy chemist). See also M1810 to M1814 and M2193 and M2194. See M1810 for names of some of people on the saluting stand.

There is a report in the Essex Chronicle, 18 May 1945, which in particular lists the organisations and bands taking part.

RefM647
Date takenMay 1945
SourceBraintree and Witham Times. Neg is at ERO, Acc. A9314.
Posted on Full size 2211 × 1801

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Every effort has been made to contact the owners of the photos or their relatives, to obtain their permission to use their pictures. But I have not always managed to find them, for which I apologise.

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