00:59So it's my pleasure to be able to welcome you all here. I think you've been absolutely wonderful to come. And I'm sure Violette must be so, so delighted, so very happy to you.
01:16It's taken me 25 years to do it. And it was a poem that was written specially for Violette. It was a neighbour of mine sleeping in that bedroom up there, overlooking the museum.
01:33In 1992, I don't think anybody knew there was ever even going to be a museum. And he became inspired in the middle of the night and got up, wrote the words down.
01:47I wouldn't be surprised with a bit of help from Violette and gave it to me. So it's entitled Violette.
01:56This fallen heroine lies asleep. Memories we'll always keep. She gave her life that we might live. Blessed are those that can forgive.
02:09She loved her life to fill the sun. For her, the years had yet begun. Cut down like corn by the reaper's blade. Dear God, the sacrifice she made.
02:22She knew the score. She sought no fame. The stakes were high and she lost the game. So in these present years and those that lie ahead, let us tell our children's children that hard-won freedom is not dead.
02:43And with vigilance we'll always keep. This fallen heroine lies asleep. Violette Zalbo, George Cross. British secret agent. Executed by the Gestapo. Ravensbrook, 1945. Maurice John Hart, 1992.
03:04I don't see it under the apple tree. With anyone else for me, anyone else for me, anyone else for me, no, no, no.
03:17I don't see it under the apple tree. With anyone else for me, feel like I'm marching home.
03:26I don't go walking down love this lane. With anyone else for me, anyone else for me.
03:33Anyone else for me, anyone else for me, no, no, no. I don't go walking down love this lane. With anyone else for me, till I come marching home.
03:45I just got word from the girl, don't hear from the girl next door to me. The boy she met just love stupid and he beat you to a T.
03:54So don't see it under the apple tree. With anyone else for me, till I come marching home.
04:03The remarkable story of Violette Zalbo, George Cross, has always been part of my life.
04:14Indeed, family, friends and neighbours have always known of you, Rosemary, and of the family here at Wormlow.
04:21And in a number of cases, some of the most older members of our community in the Golden Valley could tell stories of having played with Violette here during that last visit to Herefordshire.
04:35As children, we were, of course, always made to watch, indeed, willingly made to watch that wonderful film, Car for a Name with Pride.
04:45And it is with great pleasure that Rosemary has asked me to read the message she has received from Virginia McKenna.
04:53So, from Virginia.
04:56Good afternoon, everyone. I am so very sorry not to be with you this afternoon, but I'm here in spirit.
05:06Violette's day, loyally conceived and arranged by Rosemary for so many years, is a tribute like no other.
05:13And that Violette's daughter, Tania, is present makes it even more moving.
05:19We live in uncertain and troubled times, but this special day reassures us that friendship, loyalty and hope are alive and strong.
05:31Violette inspires all ages, young and old, and this, of course, will never fade.
05:37In this 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, we also remember and give thanks to those who gave so much as part of that great struggle.
05:51For those who came home, for those whom life on return was not as it should have been,
05:58and, of course, for those like Violette who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
06:02Sadly, as Virginia has referenced, we live in a world which does not seem to have learned too much from some of those struggles.
06:13In this, of all years, let us remember those who have served over the past 80 years, and for those who continue to do so.
06:21Let us remember and give thanks to the remarkable people who served in the Second World War,
06:28those who served in the SOE, and remarkable women like Violette.
06:35God bless them all, and may they all rest in peace.
06:38The life that Violette had was all that she had, and the life that she had is yours.
06:52The love that she had of the life that she had is yours, and yours, and yours.
07:00A sleep she is having, a sleep she is having, a rest she is having, yet death is but a pause.
07:12For the peace of her years in the long green grass is yours, and yours, and yours.
07:22Thank you very much.
07:52So will you please say hello to the folks that I know?
08:20Tell them I won't be long, they'll be happy to know, that when you saw me go,
08:31I will sing this song, and we'll meet again.
08:40I don't know where, I don't know where, I don't know where, but I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.
08:56God bless you, James, and Felix, and all the others.
09:06Sacrifice for our freedom, thank you so much.
