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Alton in the 40's 2005, 12 June 2005
It was like stepping back in time in the town centre of Alton on Sunday when Alton Initiatives Management organised a "1940s Day" in conjunction with the Watercress Line's "War on the Line".
American and British troops occupied the High St, with everything from Willys jeeps and big trucks to a despatch rider with his motorcycle, complete with blacked-out headlamp. A 1940s Dennis fire engine was parked appropriately outside the old fire station in the High St.
Members of the Home Guard marched local children up and down the street and taught them how to send morse code. 'Spivs' were spotted lurking on street corners, whilst a "Mrs Mop", complete with 'pinny' and headscarf and many others visitors dressed in '40s costumes strolled around town enjoying the sunshine and the nostalgia.
The Market Square was full of cars of the era, including two immaculately prepared MGs and several, less-ostentatious Morris and Austin family cars, whilst the crowds were entertained by the Langstone Big Band, playing many great examples of the Glenn Miller style of music. Members of Alton's very own Operatic and Dramatic Society, all dressed appropriately in period costume, drew a warm welcome when they lined up in front of the town hall to sing a medley of wartime songs, ending with a rousing rendition of the patriotic "There'll always be an England", which led to much waving of union jacks by the audience.
However, it was the set pieces that most thrilled the crowd. Winston Churchill and Field Marshall Montgomery, complete with their entourage of MPs and personal aides, arrived in a staff car, escorted by a siren-wailing jeep, to walk about the Market Square, where they met the town's mayor, Paddy Mendham and Town Crier, Stan Whitcher. The VIPs also shook hands with local WW2 veterans and posed for photographs.
Later, a big American truck and jeep escorts arrived carrying evacuee schoolchildren, who, after meeting the mayor, picnicked in the Public Gardens. Finally, General Patton and his escort of MPs arrived to inspect the troops in the High St and have lunch in the Market Hotel. General Patton, alias George Kimmins from Portslade in Sussex said, "There was an old gentleman at the bar in the pub who came over to me at the end and said he remembered seeing the real Gen. Patton during the war. He was so overcome by the nostalgia of the day that he left the pub with tears in his eyes."
Town Initiatives Manager Vernon Pearce who organised the event said, "It was the best event AIM have organised to date and everyone enjoyed themselves so much, both the audience and the many people who took part. A lot of planning and hard work went into the day but I was pleased to see so many people there, especially those who lived through the war and for whom it brought back many memories."
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