Rye’s beacon on Udimore Road was lit at 9:30pm on Thursday, May 8 to end the day’s events marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. For deputy mayor Chris Hoggart, who set the beacon alight, it was also a chance to remember his father’s wartime service.
With a crowd of thirty people gathered in the field and on the road, he paid tribute to the wartime generation. “Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad, who sacrificed all to allow us to enjoy the peace we have today. Let’s remember those who came home wounded, physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them. Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and sweethearts. Let us remember the servicemen and women of other nationalities and faiths from the Commonwealth who fought, suffered, and died during six years of war. Let us remember those in reserved occupations and the brave people who kept us safe on the home front.”
The event was all the more special as Chris Hoggart had his father’s wartime diary in his pocket. He described John Robert Hoggart as a regular soldier who served in India before being posted to Belgium in 1945 with the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. “He was a radio operator, sometimes ending up behind enemy lines. 3 Para did an amazing trek across Germany in a very short space of time. 360 miles and they were the first Allied troops to the get to the Baltic coast to stop the Russians taking over too much of Germany. He was there when 3 Para crossed the Rhine. I’m thinking about him today.”
He says finding out about his father’s story has been a recent privilege. “He didn’t really talk about it apart from the odd amusing anecdote. I’ve only recently found the diary which has led me to more research about 3 Para so I can find out what he did.”
The tiny diary has a week across two pages, with some fascinating detail. For example on April 16 1945 he writes “travelled til late afternoon. Don’t know here where we are. Saw a dogfight. Wrote to my darling.” Over the Easter weekend in 1945 he says: “North of Munster. Shell fire. First time. Not liking.”
The beacon on Udimore Road was prepared by Rye Bonfire Society, whose team ensured a strong flame that could be seen for miles. From the top of the hill, beacons could also be seen in Winchelsea, Lydd and New Romney.
Image Credits: David McLoughlin , James Stewart , Chris Hoggart .