ONE by one, little bands of WWII veterans are closing their meetings and hanging up their standards.

Each year, there are fewer people left to swap memories and bring back for a short while the camaraderie of a difficult but heart-warming time.

This weekend, on Sunday, September 9, surviving war veterans, many octogenarians, have a chance to put on their medals, relive old times and remember pride in a job well done.

Eden Camp, an award-winning modern history theme museum, is holding its tenth annual veteran's parade. People come from all over the country to take part and for many, it is the only chance they now have to recapture those times.

It's not just the soldiers, sailors and airmen who come for the parade. Bevin Boys who fought their war, arbitrarily selected, in coal mines, plus the Land Army girls who kept the nation fed will be there.

Steve Jaques, director of Eden Camp, said: "It is very moving to see everyone on the parade. We can't imagine what they went through for us. For many it is a great achievement just being here."

The veterans will assemble for the parade at 2pm in Eden Camp's rear car park by hut 24. It moves off led by the King's Division Normandy Band and followed by up to 100 standards and then 1,000 veterans.

The parade winds its way right round the camp site to the memorial area by hut 19. Then vicar of St Mary's Priory Church, Old Malton, the Rev John Manchester, will take a service which includes the last post.

The day will also mark the opening of hut 11 dedicated to the First World War. A collection of contemporary photographs helped Eden Camp to build an authentic-looking WWI trench in a realistically desolate setting. The new display also covers life at home while the boys were away and includes a selection of war poetry.

This Sunday, many will find time to spend a moment in the chapel. Hanging there are quite a few standards donated to Eden Camp when veterans' meetings closed.

Said Steve Jaques: "It is an honour for us and very moving to think they trust us."

All veterans are invited to the day and the museum is open as normal so members of the public can join in too.

Practicalities

Eden Camp is on the Malton to Pickering Road just past Malton. It is open between 10am and 5pm seven days a week. Admission is £4 and £3 for children, senior citizens and disabled people.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, September 06, 2001