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MANY of us will be looking with a wide variety of feelings as Christmas is under a month away — looking forward to meeting up with friends and family, the joy of seeing children’s faces as they open their presents, the traditional Christmas turkey and much more.

Others who will be on their own, or have recently lost loved ones, or who cannot afford to give their families much, will be regarding the arrival of Christmas with a level of dread, apprehension or even guilt. So a wonderful time for many but not everyone.

However, in this year, when the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War was marked with great celebration and reflection of the tumultuous events that affected so many, it is worth considering what life was like then.

Great relief that the fighting had stopped and troops were coming home for sure but life was far from normal.

Many servicemen and women were still serving abroad, the returning prisoners of war returned with great mental and physical wounds, many of Britain’s towns and cities had been badly damaged and thousands lived in temporary often very basic accommodation, rationing was even more restrictive and would not finally end until 1954.

The level of uncertainty over jobs, and the future at Christmas time in 1945 was great and, for many trying to re-establish a level of normality after six years of war, was a great challenge. Britain was largely bankrupt and the rebuilding was just starting. These are the circumstances our parents and grandparents faced.

As a we approach Christmas Day, give some thought to those who are affected by war today. They face the same struggles for survival as our forebears did in a world more divided and complex than ever before.

Think of our servicemen and women who will be away from home on Christmas Day, of those workers who will not be able to spend their Christmas Day at home, whether police and fire services, ambulance drivers, hospital workers and many others. They all deserve our thoughts and thanks.

At the British Modern Military History Society, 2026 promises to be another successful year with a full and varied schedule of live and Zoom talks booked.

Imminently, we shall also be publishing our latest book Articles of War raising money for the small charity Veterans with Dogs.

We thank you all for your ongoing support of all we do. It makes it all worthwhile and as you know we raise money for military charities from all we do. A special word of thanks to those who have supported us on a day-to-day basis behind the scenes — Colin Trundle, Chris Leworthy, Richard Macauley, Richard Allan and Nick Brazil and last but not least my erstwhile society colleagues Nigel, Linda, Jerry and Andy H, without whom everything we do would not be possible.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season with friends and family, and looking forward to seeing you in 2026 for more talks on interesting military topics.

Andy Cockeram, chairman BMMHS

Meanwhile, the final talk of the year at Woodcote village hall is next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Dr Linda Parker will present “Rudolf Hess — His Flight to England”.

On May 10, 1941, Hess parachuted out of a plane over Renfrewshire in Scotland.

More than 80 years later there are still many unanswered questions debates and conspiracy theories surrounding the flight. This talk will look at the evidence and try to come to some conclusions.

Dr Parker is an independent researcher and author. Her areas of research are modern military history with a special interest in military chaplaincy, and polar exploration.

She writes for The European magazine and is a founder member of the British Modern Military History Society.

Entry costs £8, which includes your entry ticket to the talk, a question and answer session and refreshments.

Entry to village hall talks for students and under-21s is now free of charge.

For more information, including details of forthcoming meetings, visit www.bmmhs.org