Lewes residents mark VJ Day with special party on the green

Residents marked the special occasion on August 15, on the green near a house called Kohima in Glebe Close.

The history of the naming of the house comes from a man called Basil Mockford, who built the house in the early 1960s. In the Second World War, he fought on Mount Kohima.

Angela Brinkhurst, who now lives in the house, told the Express: “So to celebrate in our close as we did on VE Day – socially distanced – we had a party on our green and invited Basil’s son, Donald, and grandson, Stephen, to celebrate VJ Day and the ending of World War Two.

“Donald Mockford brought along several bits and pieces of his dad’s memorabilia which was so interesting.”

Donald said the party organised by Angela was ‘emotional’, adding: “I was very pleased and proud she had kept the house name Kohima which my father had named it.

“Angela had invited most of the people living in the close so it was interesting to meet the new residents but good to see some of the original neighbours who were on the self-build scheme, especially my immediate next door neighbours, Cylia and Fred. Sadly Fred died a few days after.

“The houses themselves are very special. In the late 50s, my father, along with 16 other men worked hard for years working many hours on top of their day job to build them.

“I have many fond memories including dad cycling down the hollow carrying me on his cross bar.”

Basil was in the Royal West Kent Regiment fighting in the jungle of Burma.

“Kohima was a horrific battle which dad or any of his comrades did not expect to survive,” said Donald.

“He said every night that the Japs would attack across the tennis court. He said he was talking to his pal in the trench beside him but when he turned he had been shot in the head.

“I think the home at Glebe Close was one that he did not expect to have. Sadly within weeks of retirement mum and dad were killed in a car accident in France celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.”

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