Lest We Forget

Brent Cross takes a look back at some of the darkest and most hopeful days in history

On 15th August 1945, just three months after the end of World War II in Europe, British prime minister Clement Atlee took his memorable news to the
airways: “The last of our enemies is laid low.” Earlier, in compliance with the Potsdam Declaration, Japan had surrendered to the Allies, ending nearly six years of war. That day was later declared Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.
Sixty years have since passed and with them many of the citizens who struggled through those dark years and later made it their mission to commit their memories to oral history. Brent Cross shopping centre in London, UK, helped to preserve their legacy this summer as it hosted a two-week celebration of VJ Day.
The event couldn’t have come at a better time, as Londoners have had to come to terms with the reality of war once again in the wake of two terrorist attacks on their city.  The VJ Day celebration not only recalled how horrific life had been during WWII, but it also demonstrated how powerful a nation’s resolve had been in bringing peace back to its land and abroad.
Brent Cross partnered with several organisations to develop its event roster, including the Royal British Legion, the Anne Frank Trust UK, The British Ministry of Defence, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women, the RAF Museum and Barnet Council. Shopping centre tenants John Lewis, Waitrose and Russell & Bromley also supported the programme, digging through their archives to produce an exhibition of photographs and a WWII window display.
Taking the stance that you’re never too young to develop a conscience and learn from others’ experiences, Brent Cross gave 40 primary schoolchildren in years 5 and 6 a chance to re-enact what life was like in the Blitz. Dressed up as WWII evacuees, children re-created an air raid shelter, watched archive footage on big TV screens (courtesy of Sky TV) and coped with authentic air raid warnings throughout the night under the watchful eyes of teachers from Canonbury Junior School in Islington—it staged a Blitz Night earlier this year. To qualify, would-be participants had to complete a form, telling Brent Cross which three possessions they would take into an air raid shelter.
Also of interest to kids, Brent Cross acted as the UK’s first public venue for a new interactive exhibition chronicling the life of Anne Frank.