Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard is teaming up with the children of Cathedral School of St Mary to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz.
Mr Pollard has been co-ordinating a number of letters received from foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners across the globe, expressing their remembrance of the Blitz in Plymouth. The letters will be read out by the children of Cathedral School, and presented to the Lord Mayor to be kept in the Box, in a special live stream on Monday night.
The Ambassador of Germany leads the letters expressing friendship and support 80 years after raids on the city. The Australian, Canadian and New Zealand High Commissioners retell stories of forces from across the Commonwealth who were stationed in the city during the Blitz. Letters of friendship and solidarity have also been received from India and Norway. The Polish Ambassador recalls in his letter how the Polish Navy was based in Devonport after their country had been invaded by the Nazis and the Soviet Union. The Australian High Commissioner also recalls how Aussie troops in Plymouth were fond of our local pubs!
The livestream will take place on Monday 26 April at 7:30pm and can be watched on Luke Pollard’s Facebook page. As well as the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress and historian Dr Harry Bennett from the University of Plymouth will also give a presentation on the lasting friendships between old friends and foes.
Commenting, Luke Pollard MP said:
“The 80th anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz has given us a chance to retell the incredible stories of the horrors our city endured during nightly raids. We lost 1,174 people in the Plymouth Blitz and retelling the stories of everyday Plymothians means they won’t be forgotten.
“Earlier this year I wrote to all the High Commissioners and Ambassadors of our friends who stood with Plymouth during the Blitz to share messages of support and solidarity. As a military city Plymouth hosted forces from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Norway, Poland, the US and many other allied countries.
“The enduring message of friendship and peace comes across loud and clear in the letters to the Lord Mayor and having children from the Cathedral School read them out shows how future generations now live in peace thanks to sacrifices made 80 years ago.
“I would like to thank Mr Dyson and all the children at Cathedral School for taking part!”
As the anniversary events draw to a close Monday will also see the Royal Navy shine their spotlights into the sky from ships in the Sound at 9pm.