Military vehicle convoy set off from Happy Cheese in Ashurst to join in Lymington Royal British Legion’s 100th anniversary celebration

A PAIR of historical re-enactors led a military vehicle convoy through the Forest over the weekend to join in the 100th anniversary celebration of Lymington’s Royal British Legion.

Driving a 1942 Dodge weapons carrier, barber Dan Turton was dressed to the nines as the convoy set out from the Happy Cheese at Ashurst to join in a military vehicle display in Lymington High Street.

Around 10 vehicles were set to take part in the rally, including heavy six-wheelers and GMC trucks, with Tracy Turton taking the wheel of the couple’s 1942 Willys Jeep.

The legion’s 100th anniversary was marked with a service at St Thomas’s Church followed by a performance by a marching band in the town and refreshments at the legion HQ.

Dan told the A&T being part of Lymington’s vehicle display was the least he and his partner could do to honour the sacrifices made by the Allies in the Second World War and to help children “connect” with history.

He said: “We went through the Forest, via Beaulieu and on to Lymington.

“We parked up in the High Street and let people wander around the vehicles and have a look at them.”

Dan said there were a lot of US vehicles: “America gave us a lot of vehicles during the Second World War and I think the nation only finished paying that debt back about 10 years ago.

“I was asked by the organisers of Lymington’s legion’s anniversary celebration to take part because I think it helps enhance the experience for everyone.

“From childhood I’ve had a fascination with Second World War history. I grew up playing with toy trucks, and the trucks just get bigger as you get older.

“I loved history at school and had a great teacher who was very enthusiastic about it.

“For me this event was all about getting youngsters interested in the vehicles and, through that, it encourages them to find out what happened in the war and what these incredible people did.”

He continued: “Having the vehicles is very visual for people. You try to explain to a child about the impact and importance of D-Day and the Second World War and it might not get through but, when you sit them in the driver’s seat of a military vehicle, they start to get a better sense of what happened and connect with the history a little more.

“For me this is all about keeping the memory of the war years alive – it seems the least our generation can do to recognise the sacrifices that were made.”

Dan runs the Hair Way barber shop on Junction Road in Totton, with his wife. He took over the business from his father, who retired in 2006.