COMMEMORATIONS have been held in Newquay to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

A flag raising ceremony was held at St Michael's Church, which was attended by veterans, residents and representatives from various organisations including RAF St Mawgan.

RAF St Mawgan station warrant officer Darrel Keane said: “It’s important for us to mark the occasion of VE Day for all the people who served during this time and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Mayor Drew Creek was given the honour of raising the flag (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek added: “Eighty years on since the end of World War Two in Europe and its more important today than ever to recognise the sacrifice made during the conflict.

“It should be a clear message to the world that we do not want a repeat of what happened.”

Representatives from various organisations attended the event (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Church warden Rachel Craze said: “The church is delighted and proud to be a part of the Newquay VE Day commemorations to remember and show respect for those who gave their lives during the Second World War.”

The Union Jack flag was raised to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

The gathering enjoyed light refreshments at the Newquay Town Council offices following the flag raising ceremony.

Newquay Royal British Legion Branch staged a wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

President Paul Knowlson cited the exhortation at the event before representatives from various organisations laid wreaths.

Paul Knowlson, the president of Newquay Royal British Legion Branch, laying a wreath on behalf of the organisation ( )

Mr Knowlson said: “I would like to thank everyone who has come to the wreath laying ceremony.

Mr Knowlson laying a wreath on behalf of the Newquay RBL Branch (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

“We are here to remember those who did not return from the Second World War and those who gave their all for us to be here today.”

Veteran Phil Bedford, who served in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and Anne Swan who served in the military police laid wreaths to mark VE Day (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Veteran Phil Bedford, who served in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, added: “It is important to remember VE Day for the sacrifice the troops and civilians made.

Ian Millar laying a wreath on behalf of Newquay Poppy Appeal (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

“A lot of the veterans are no longer with us as only a handful are left so generations need to remember them.”

(L-R) Anne Swan, Ian Millar, Paul Bedford and Paul Knowlson ahead of the wreath laying ceremony (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Cornwall County Royal British Legion organised a wreath laying ceremony at the RBL Woodlands at Nansledan to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which was attended by veterans, service personnel and Sir Edward Bolitho, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.

Video: Warren Wilkins

Members from various RBL branches from around Cornwall were also in attendance.

Squadron Leader Michael Errington lays a wreath at the service (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )
Edward Bolitho, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, was in attendance (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Reverend (Wing Commander) Andrew Turner RAF (Retired) officiated the service and led the prayers.

Branch standards, the RBL county standard and the RAF Association standards were raised and lowered during the wreath laying ceremony (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

Zachery Clacken from the Rifle Regiment performed the Last Post.

Video: Warren Wilkins

Mark Bardsley, the RBL Cornwall County chairman, said: “VE Day happened on May 8, 80 years ago where everybody rejoiced.

“But there is a split feeling as there are two parts. One of joy because it marked the end of war in Europe, which cannot go unrecognised though we cannot forget that war continued in the Far East for another three months.

Standards were on display at the service (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

“Many troops found themselves diverted to Burma. I had an uncle who was a Japanese prisoner of war on VE Day. He did not return until 1946. For him the war was never over as it scared him.

(L-R) Squadron Leader Rob Farrant and Lieutenant Matt Jones laid wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

“There were so many people still at war on VE Day. A colleague called Bill Frazer always cried on VE Day because it was on that day that a Kamikaze plane hit HMS Victory killing 20 of his shipmates. VE Day was a great relief for many but for him it was a day of remembering his missed mates.”

Andy Ward from Newquay Surf Veterans laid a wreath at the service.

Andy Ward from Newquay Surf Veterans laid a wreath at the service (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )

He said: “VE Day is about us remembering our families who served in the Second World War, their fellow service personnel and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Reverend (Wing Commander) Andrew Turner RAF (Retired) and Edward Bolitho, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall at the service (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )
(L-R) Zachery Clacken from the Rifle Regiment, Squadron Leader Michael Errington and Robert Murray who served in the RAF (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )
Zachery Clacken from the Rifle Regiment (Picture: Warren Wilkins) ( )