80-year-old VE Day flag flies again in Sway garden

A FLAG that was flown to mark VE Day 80 years ago has been raised in Sway this week.

The Union Jack flag, which has only been unfurl on one or two occasions in the last 80 years, is displayed on a flag pole in Kings Lane to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE day.

At the time of VE Day, Alan Lawrence (90) from Lymington was just 10 years old. He said: “I remember my father rigging up the flag pole and it flew above our house. I remember parts of the way – the bombs dropping – we lived in doodlebug alley.”

“There was huge relief – I don’t remember the celebrations – but for everyone there was a sense that it was over.”

“It is very nice to have the flag flying again – hopefully it will still be in a one piece for the 100th anniversary in 20 years time.”

Alan’s son David has now inherited the flag, which he last flew in May 2022 to mark the Royal Week and and the FA Cup Final. David said: “It feels quite special to be able to fly the same flag that my father and my grandparents flew above their home on VE day.”

“They lived in Seven Oaks at the time so they weren’t a million miles away from the Battle of Britain – there must have been huge celebrations when the war finally ended.”

The flag which has undergone a number of repairs will fly above Holbury Farm in Kings Lane on Saturday – as David celebrated VE 80 with a barbecue with neighbours.