VJ Day Celebration Tea
The 3 Churches Benefice are holding a special VJ Day Celebration Tea at St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell, on 17th August from 2.30 to 4.30pm.
The Fourteenth Army included troops from all corners of the Commonwealth, including Britain, India, Africa and Burma. It is often referred to as the ‘Forgotten Army’ in part owing to the focus on ‘Germany first’ and the European campaign being closer to home, but they fought in challenging terrain and ultimately contributed to the defeat of the Japanese.
Many families, including those of Churchwardens Sue and Margaret, waited until August for the homecoming of their loved ones. Their service and sacrifice is important to remember on this 80th Anniversary of VJ Day.
Please do come along and join us.
The Three Villages 
My Father Eric ‘Barney’ Barnes (an Argyll & Sutherland Highlander, known as The Jungle Beasts) had been fighting the Japanese all through the Malaya peninsula.
Initially captured on February 42 he was held for slave labour for almost 4 years. Worked on building the Thai/Burma railway. Suffering starvation and various jungle illnesses.
Then transfered by Hell Ship to Japan to slave in their mines, too dangerous for Japanese miners to work further…
He survived but never recovered his health dying aged 58, after a fall on the escalator which broke his neck
ALSO KNOWN AS THE FORGOTTEN ARMY.
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