JCB Unveils wall of honour for family VE day commemoration

JCB today paid a special tribute to the relatives of proud employees whose family members served their country in the war as the nation marks the 80^th anniversary of VE Day.

Employees gathered for a poignant VE Day event at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, today to share stories of their families’ sacrifices – from soldiers on the front line to land girls on the Home Front. They were joined by Chelsea Pensioners Ted Fell, Barry Prior and Mick Skerratt resplendent in their traditional red tunics and tricorn hats.

Chelsea Pensioners Mick Skerratt, Barry Prior and Ted Fell pictured with Eileen Lavery today.

At the ceremony Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson CBE unveiled a stunning digital Wall of Honour in the JCB HQ reception with huge digital screens bearing the photographs of  employees’ relatives and a description of their role in the war. JCB employees from the UK, India, the USA, and Germany contributed stories of their relatives’ World War II service.

Among those being honoured was Eileen Lavery, of Uttoxeter, who joined up as a WREN in May 1944, when she was just 18. Eileen, who will celebrate her 100^th birthday in September, was guest of honour at today’s event and is the grandmother of JCB PA Denise Paterson.

Eileen, who worked as a steward in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, said: “I was stationed in Lowestoft on VE-Day and when news came through that the war was over, we all went to nearby Oulton Broad and jumped into the water in our uniforms. It really was a great day and everyone was celebrating the end of the war but the only problem was that once my uniform dried out it had shrunk and wouldn’t fit!”

Granddaughter Denise added: I’m extremely proud of my gran. To still have her around at nearly 100 years of age is wonderful. We really do owe my gran’s generation everything after what they lived through and what they sacrificed for us.”

Almost 50 relatives of JCB employees were honoured at the event which was also attended by JCB Deputy Chairman George Bamford whose grandparents, JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford and his wife Marjorie, both played their part in the war effort.  Joseph Cyril Bamford worked in the Gold Coast where he was involved in crucial aircraft supply chain work, while his wife enlisted as a land girl working on a farm in Essex.

George Bamford said: “Many JCB employees have family members who served in the war and today is about saying thank you to them for their service and keeping alive the memory of all those who served.”

Eileen Lavery, aged 99, pictured at today’s ceremony with (left to right) Chelsea Pensioners Ted Fell, Mick Skerratt and Barry Prior, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson and JCB Deputy Chairman George Bamford.

Among those who spoke at today’s event was Andrew Keeling, whose great-grandfather Robert Rowley signed up with the Territorial Army in October 1940. Robert was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1908 and he served in the Far East and was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Java in 1942 and spent a year in captivity. After a spell in Singapore, he was sent to Thailand on a train journey that took four days and that was followed by a two-day, 104-mile march. He died of beriberi in a Thai hospital in December, 1943.

Andrew, of Newcastle-under-Lyme,  said: “It’s fantastic that JCB has offered the opportunity for employees to tell the stories of relatives’ service in World War II and I’m very proud to tell my great-grandfather’s as we mark the 80^th anniversary of VE Day. No member of our family has yet managed to visit his grave in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand but my wife Rebecca and I will be making the journey there this summer to lay flowers on his grave and pay tribute to his service. It will be an emotional moment.”

Eileen Lavery, aged 99, pictured at today’s ceremony with (left to right) JCB Deputy Chairman George Bamford, Chelsea Pensioner Mick Skerratt, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson and Chelsea Pensioners Barry Prior and Ted Fell.

Also, in the audience today was JCB Germany employee Berthold Schwertheim, who works as a Field Service Manager. Two of his great-uncles died after being conscripted and sent to fight against the Russians. Berthold’s father was also conscripted at the age of 15 and although he survived, he bore the scars of war for the rest of his life.

Berthold said: “He only ever spoke about the war when he was together with his friends or when he was drunk. He never forgot his experiences of war nor his time as a prisoner. He never threw food away; even if it was mouldy, he would eat it. He died in 2012 at the age of 86, as an old and broken man.”

Philip Stephens, who works at JCB’s World HQ,  was at today’s ceremony remembering the service of his grandfather John Mansell, of Stoke-on-Trent, a Gunner in the 102 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery.

Philip, of Caverswall, near Stoke-on-Trent, said: “My grandfather never spoke much about what he saw or encountered during his service. He only told his family limited details, preferring to keep that part of his life separate. I remember him telling me he was one of the first to land on Gold Beach, during the Normandy Landings on D-day, the 6^th of June, 1944. I can only imagine what he must have seen and experienced. I am extremely proud that we can remember him today and everyone else of his generation who fought for our freedom.”

The JCB employees’ family stories of sacrifice also include American Lt Ambrose Grant, a B17 pilot in Army Air Corps who became a prisoner of war after his plane crashed in Holland. He spent 18 months as a POW in Stalag Luft 1. His story has been told by his great-grandson Stephen Grant, who is a Product Marketing Specialist based at JCB’s factory in Savannah, Georgia.

Glenn Karkada works as a Purchase Cost Controller for JCB India in Pune and his grandfather James Karkada worked as a Radio Operator in the British India Army. Glenn said: “I remember him mentioning World War Two in Italy. His commander-in-chief was a Mr Wilkinson, and my grandfather told of how the civilians of Italy treated them all with honour as they were fighting for the country. We are proud of his war record and the part he played.”

Members of the public are welcome to visit the JCB Wall of Honour and commemorative display. It will remain in JCB World Headquarters reception at Rocester for the next two weeks.