The War and Peace Show 21 – 25 July 2010

Invitation to all World War II Veterans

To all World War II Veterans who took part in the many campaigns of the Second World War on land, sea and in the air including the organisations who supported our servicemen and women from home.

We would like to invite you to take the opportunity to be re-united with your comrades at arms and exchange memories during the War and Peace Show in the Veterans’ Marquee located close to the heart of the Show.

We wish to give you the opportunity to inspect the vehicles that actually took part in the battles that brought the Second World War to an end; to visit the Living History displays recreating scenes from the past; and to marvel at the battle re-enactments that take place daily during the Show and to help us commemorate the 70^th anniversaries of the Evacuation of Dunkerque and the Battle of Britain and the 65^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The men and women who took part in World War II will be admitted FREE to The War and Peace Show at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, from 21^st to 25^th July 2010.  Special rates will apply for carers and families.

The hire of mobility scooters can be arranged in advance from Safe Hands on 01303 274574, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Advanced Tickets must be booked by 13^th July 2010. 

Rex Cadman
The War and Peace Show Organiser

Click here to download the entry form

The Lucky 13th issue of Back Street Heroes

The 2010 War and Peace Show starts on the 21st of July, and features a series of special events in
celebration of the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The end of July once again saw the Hop Farm in Kent hosting the military vehicle spectacular that is the War and Peace Show. 100,000 people walked through the turnstiles during the five days of almost uninterrupted sunshine. The storm clouds gathered only once, on the Friday morning, reducing numbers for the annual ride-out from 40 to a mere 12, plus the Field Marshal’s bike – the ominous 13th vehicle. For a while, classic bikes were ditched in favour of MT350s, with riders skidding around Kent in mud, rain and wet underwear. Now, 12 bikes do not a ride-out make, but hats off anyway to winner Philippe Deschaumes with his Norton. Philippe rode his bike all the way from Censy, in north-eastern France, dressed as a British paratrooper; who said the spirit of a united Europe was dead? Thunderdome, Norfolk’s premier – and only – Mad Max re-enacting group, brought the showground to a halt dressed in outfits that wouldn’t have looked out of place at a sadomasochistic orgy. Ever wondered what it takes to unnerve a Nazi re-enactor? No, neither did we, but we do now; shoulder pads, studded codpieces, dog leads and hockey masks! The attention to detail was disturbing – these aren’t outfits you can buy at Matalan – and a fitting tribute to the pre-bonkers Mel Gibson!

With BSH now the favourite motorcycle publication of the Second Battle Group, the Field Marshal was again invited out for the last skirmish of the show. And again, he went in disguise to avoid his long hair and goatee spoiling any video footage. War wounds don’t come any more trivial than a hot MG34 cartridge down the sleeve of your camouflage jacket, but at least you know that this correspondent is prepared to suffer in pursuit of a good story... Next stop, Basra.

Words and photos: THE FIELD MARSHAL

THIS year's War and Peace Show was the most successful ever.

Organiser Rex Cadman said military vehicle entries exceeded every other year and living history entries were higher than ever before.

Speaking at the Show's annual Thank You Dinner, at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, last Thursday, he said visitor numbers were also up.

The dinner was for people who helped make the Show a success, each of whom was presented with a special plaque.

"We did have concerns about the 2009 Show, in the light of the financial difficulties people are facing at this time," he said. "I'm glad to say our worries were unfounded."

Mr Cadman added that Tonbridge and Malling Council had been closely involved both in the planning stages and throughout the Show. However very few problems arose and those that did were dealt with very quickly.

Turning to next year's Show he said there would be major displays to commemorate the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, marking the 70^th anniversary of both events. The Show would also celebrate the 65^th anniversary of the end of the War in Europe.

The 2010 War and Peace Show will be held at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, from 21 to 25 July.

FOUR thousand poppies adorned Ken Ditchfield's Jeep when it went on parade at the Fremlin Walk shopping centre in Maidstone on Remembrance Day.

Ken, who runs the Jeep Raffle for the War and Peace Show, provided the vehicle in response to an appeal from the centre's management. They wanted a military vehicle as a focus for shoppers wishing to observe the two minute's silence at 11 am.

The short ceremony began with the sounding of the Last Post by bugler Barry Knight, a veteran bandsman of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

The Exhortation was then read by Jack Shearer, customer liaison manager for Fremlin Walk, who served with the Second Battalion of the Scots Guards. 

A solemn group of shoppers - including a number of service veterans wearing uniforms and medals - observed the silence. At the end Mr Shearer read the Kohima lament and Barry Knight sounded Reveille.

Ken Ditchfield, who attended with War and Peace regular Nobby Clark, is himself a veteran of the Royal Horse Artillery.

Jaine Rees, marketing manager of Fremlin Walk, said: "The Jeep created a focal point for shoppers who wanted to observe the two minutes' silence. It also attracted many people who wanted to buy poppies."

"The ceremony was very moving and quite emotional. I think people were glad to have the opportunity to take part."

END