OWF recognises VE Day 75 years on ....
Posted on 7th May 2020 at 17:56
Seventy-five years ago, on 8th May 1945, the guns fell silent and the years of war and destruction in Europe came to an end. Millions of people throughout the United Kingdom went out on the streets to celebrate peace and mourn the loss of their loved ones.
Amongst the millions celebrating victory in Europe were members of the Order of Women Freemasons. The Order’s records describe how during the war period members regularly met at the Grand Master’s house in London to make clothes for the Polish refugees and knit items for the Middlesex Regiment serving in France. They also set up and drove a mobile canteen day and night around the dark and foggy Surrey commons to take hot meals to the lonely Air Raid Precautions (ARP) personnel scattered around the district.
Through blitzes, blackouts and under great difficulties they supplied food and drink to exhausted firemen and bombed-out people ….. “if there is any bombing going on we just ignore it”.
The Order of Women Freemasons pays tribute and acknowledges a huge debt of gratitude to those who gave their lives for our freedom we have enjoyed for the last 75 years.
Lucy O'Hea - Grand Master of the OWF during World War 2 who hosted clothes making sessions for Polish refugees
Lily Parker-Jervis, Deputy Grand Master, who drove a mobile canteen to lonely ARP personnel.