This year I was privileged to accompany Lisa’s Grandad, Johnny Hayes, to the Victory Show at Cosby. Lisa and her Mom came along too, three generations of the Hayes family.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate the organisers of the Victory Show for offering free admission to Veterans and one guest and for laying on the entertainment in the marquee and a very welcome spread. We went on the Sunday and therefore avoided any ‘Vulcan crush’.
Coming 90 this November it was a real privilege to wander around the showground with him and listen to him as a few more memories were unlocked. The photo’s are nothing like as good as Damien’s but offer perhaps a slightly more personal view of an afternoon spent in 1944 and 45 in a field somewhere in North West Europe. I make no apology for starting with a photo of Johnny as he was some sixty odd years ago.
And one of him at Cosby.
Upon arrival we started to have a walk around the encampment and straight away Johnny seemed to be transported back to 1944. Simple things like the smell of woodsmoke, cooking and the smell of oil evoked memories of those days. We’d not been there many minutes when one of the artillery pieces was test fired causing everyone to flinch. Not Johnny. He simply said “you want to hear a hundred or more going at once with the cough of mortars, the rattle of small arms and the clatter of tanks.”
The encampments were, as always a hive of activity with most of the displays appearing very natural.
It wasn’t long before Johnny was engaged in conversation with one of the Sherman operators.
At this time we decided to move onto the marquee and sample some of the entertainment. It was here that we met this gentleman who was in the process of having his day made.
He then made my day by chatting to us for ten minutes. His name is John Ward and he joined the Army in 1937, under age, and served in Palestine with the 5th Hussars, hence the GSM. He then went on to earn the Military Medal with the Airborne Forces. It was too good an opportunity to miss and these two 89 year olds were more than happy to pose for a photograph.
The years just fell away and they chatted as if they’d known each other for years.
The battle re-enactment itself was quite spectacular and my photo’s in no way do it justice but here’s a few that I liked.
Whilst the re-enactors were clearing the field one of the German units marched past singing, smiling and waving at the crowd. Johnny turned to me and said “******s didn’t smile like that after we’d dropped a house on ’em!”
A few more to come later.
Regards,
kev35
By: Dr Strangelove - 26th November 2010 at 23:45
Well said Kev. 
Sad to see these old soldiers like Johnny getting fewer.
ps Great report, embarrassed to say it’s the first time I’ve read it.
By: kev35 - 26th November 2010 at 22:51
Sad to have to report that Johnny died at around 10pm last night following a short illness.
I feel priveleged to have gotten to know this man over the last four and a half years and it is remarkable to think that only a couple of months ago he walked up the beach at Arromanches before enjoying a few days touring Normandy.
My memories of Johnny are those of genuine warmth and affection coupled with enormous respect. 91 last week, his was a life well lived. As some of the pictures above show, when Johnny held court, people listened. We’ll never get the chance now to go and take a look at one of his beloved Churchills, but I will cherish the memories of our many conversations.
Sleep well Sir, and thank you. You’ve earned your rest.
Regards,
kev35
By: old shape - 28th September 2009 at 23:31
Thanks Kev.
By: kev35 - 28th September 2009 at 21:26
Moving back into the main part of the showground we came across the ATS searchlight display which was to provide a particularly poignant photograph. Two of Johnny’s sisters, Rose and Margaret, served with the ATS. Sadly, both are no longer with us.
The crew of the Bren Carrier with ‘Cymru Am Byth’ chalked on the side had a real good chat with Johnny. He had driven Bren Carriers earlier in the war and was delighted to remake his acquaintance with one. The re-enactment had not gone trouble free for these guys as a thunderflash had pushed the left front track guard into the tracks at speed which promptly tore a gash in the track guard. They had also thrown a track pin as well!
Shortly afterwards we came across a Royal Enfield motor cycle and Johnny spotted the 79th Armoured Division badge. The chap attending the motorbike shouted that it was the 79th Armoured Div. badge to which Johnny replied “yes, I know, I was them.” That led to a long conversation and the hope that they would meet there again next year so he could offer Johnny a ride in something which was being restored.
This last but one shot is of three generations of the Hayes family, Lisa, Johnny and Anita. He told me once that he feels blessed by having survived the war and having seen children and Grandchildren grow into the people they are. He believes that there was many a time during the war when if things had happened just slightly differently that he would have remained in Europe instead of his friends and a young Scots lad on the road into Le Havre.
Having met so many people at Cosby, perhaps Johnny will now finally begin to realise that what his generation achieved was something quite extraordinary.
Last photo is the only half decent image of an aircraft that I managed. needless to say the subsequent display was superb.
Regards,
kev35
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September 28, 2009 at 9:25 pm