"The Great Patriotic War"

Russia refers to the Second World War as "The Great Patriotic War". The ex-patriat Russian community in South Devon gathered at a service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Northernhay Gardens, Exeter on the 65th Anniversary of the end of the War to honour those who fought and died in the Stalingrad Battle. The ceremony was supported by Standard Bearers of the British Legion, The Embassy of the Russian Federation, English veterans of the Artic Convoys, the Twinning Associations of Exeter-Yaroslavi and Plymouth-Novorossiysk, Russian compatriots and many other Russian organisations linked to the South West. The Lord Mayor of Exeter attended and I was invited to represent Teignbridge District Council and our increasing links with Russian business and educational interests. An Offical Letter from the City of Violgograd (Stalingrad) was read by Liubov Jeffs of Russian Touch Ltd. (pictured) At the end of the ceremony a dove of peace was released along with pigeons to remember the many who owe their lives to those feathered messengers who carried news and codes back to the Allied forces.

Enquiries to Liubov at victoryday65@gmail.com