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VJ80 Celebrations Southampton - Queen Mary 2

Friday, August 15, 2025

10:00 am

1. A short wreath laying ceremony will take place, including the Lord Mayor, at Town Quay Park at 10am, Friday 15th August

2. Queen Mary 2 will be in dock at Southampton on Friday 15th August and ****will sound the original QM whistle used when it repatriated men here in 1945. Craig is inviting family members of FEPOW who returned via Southampton, with stories and/or artefacts, to participate in a small reception on board QM2.

I have indicated a willingness to participate myself but ideally a small group of FEPOW/relatives is desired. FEPOW participation is/was hoped for but, of course, very few remain with us and those who do rarely travel.

3. Saturday 16th August will see a parade, commemorative service & picnic take place.

4. Digital signage boards in the city centre will display archive material from 1945 in the lead up to VJ Day.

Further details below. If you’d like to participate in the QM2 reception please email craig.lintott@southampton.gov.uk by 24th July and  cc Walter Tuttlebee – walter@tuttlebee.com

Given the short lead-in time, it would be helpful to ask for expressions of interest by Thursday 24 July, so we can gauge availability. We only have 10 spaces available for what will be a small and intimate function on board Queen Mary 2. I’ll need to submit photo ID details (passport or driving licence) for all guests by Wednesday 6 August due to Cunard’s security requirements.

If we’re unable to fill the spaces with relatives of FEPOWs, we may extend the invitation to local residents who have memories or stories of the period to share.

For anyone who may be interested, key details are as follows:

Identification

Guests must bring the same official photo ID used at registration (passport or driving licence). This will be collected at check-in and returned when leaving the ship. Visitor passes must be worn at all times.

Parking

There is limited parking at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal, and car sharing is recommended. Guests should park in the short stay car park and register their vehicle at the pass office machine in the arrivals terminal. This must be done within 24 hours of arrival.

Check-in and security

Check-in will be at the Crew Pass Office inside the arrivals area. Once the group is assembled, a Cunard crew member will escort everyone through security. To avoid delays, guests are asked to minimise personal belongings.

Disembarkation

All guests must leave the ship by 14:00. ID will be returned in the customs area on departure.

Dress code

Business casual with comfortable footwear. Heels and open-toe shoes are not permitted for safety reasons.

Updated programme for Friday 15 August

09:00 Flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre

10:00 Wreath laying at the Repatriation Memorial in Town Quay Park – this has been brought forward by 30 mins.

11:00 Invited guests board Queen Mary 2

13:26 Lancaster flypast

14:00 Guests leave Queen Mary 2

20:30 Beacon ceremony begins at Holyrood Church

21:30 Beacon ceremony concludes

Saturday 16 August (Royal British Legion)

The programme for Saturday 16 August is as follows:

10:45 Parade through the park led by a band and standards

11:00 Commemorative service at the Cenotaph, including speeches by a Breakfast Club veteran and the Lord Mayor

12:00 Parade reforms and moves into Palmerston Park where it is stood down

12:15 Picnic in the park follows the formal proceedings

Event Details

SO14 2DY