Battle veteran Patricia honoured by Dame Vera Lynn’s family at special VJ Day celebration

Members of the Hastings based East Sussex Veterans Hub were among veterans from across the country who gathered at Danny House, in Hurstpierpoint to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan.
Pat presented with the portrait. SUS-200817-101940001Pat presented with the portrait. SUS-200817-101940001
Pat presented with the portrait. SUS-200817-101940001

The event was organised by the Not Forgotten Association, which was also marking 100 years of serving veterans of our Armed Forces in need.

Joining them was very special guest Mrs Patricia Pern, aged 99, from Battle, who served with the WRENS during WW2 and was based in Trincomalee as a decoder, at the end of the war.

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She served on after the end of the war, returning to the UK by ship in 1946.

Pat with her porrait of Dame Vera Lynn SUS-200817-101958001Pat with her porrait of Dame Vera Lynn SUS-200817-101958001
Pat with her porrait of Dame Vera Lynn SUS-200817-101958001

Todays veterans hold Pat and others from her generation in awe and high respect for their contribution to their country and society, more so those who endured the prolonged war in the far east.

In 1992 Pat became a volunteer caseworker with Hastings and Rother Division, SSAFA Forces Help. Prior to that, she carried out casework in Germany for three years in the 1950s, whilst accompanying her husband on duty.

Her ex-service links have also been enhanced by her leading role as Secretary and Chairperson of the local WRNS Association which included social and welfare management.

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She retired from SSAFA in 2011 but remains in contact with her old friends, on a regular basis.

Pat with fellow WRENS SUS-200817-102010001Pat with fellow WRENS SUS-200817-102010001
Pat with fellow WRENS SUS-200817-102010001

Another demonstration of Patricia’s quality and nature is her sporting prowess, she continues to bathe in the sea, when she can.

Pat’s determination, standards and energy in all she does are such that she is treasured locally and it was appropriate that the Not Forgotten Association arranged for Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter, Virginia Lewis Jones, to present her with a signed copy of a portrait of her Mother.

Pat met three generations of Dame Vera’s family, her daughter, granddaughters and great granddaughters.

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Bernard Stonestreet, from the Not Forgotten Association, said: “Ironically the weather had a part to play. The rains poured down and thunder clapped on Sunday afternoon as guests arrived at this grand venue. It seemed the weather was reflecting the dark days of war (including thunder, but as the afternoon moved on the sun burst through emerging into a glorious evening, reminiscent of the outbreak of peace following VJ Day in 1945.

“All in all, it was a wonderful event demonstrating the high esteem veterans today hold for those who served, those who paid the ultimate price and those who survived into their 90s. Pat Pern is the epitome of that generation and when she looks at her portrait of Dame Vera Lyn, she will have another memory to add to so many from days gone by.”