A commemorative plaque has been unveiled in Goffs Oak to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and to honour the memory of those affected by a V1 flying bomb which struck the village on 17 August 1944.
The plaque has been installed on the Monarchs Ark development at the junction of Goffs Lane and St Johns Road, the former site of Little Cot Cottage which was destroyed in the blast. Several lives were tragically lost, including members of the Marvell family, a young baby granddaughter, and local Air Raid Warden William John Drover Ingrem. The explosion caused widespread damage to surrounding homes and left a lasting impact on the community.
The ceremony, held on Friday 15 August 2025, was attended by councillors, community representatives and residents. Speeches were given by the Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, Councillor Corina Gander, and local historian Mick Coe. The plaque was formally unveiled by the Mayor of Broxbourne, Councillor Patsy Spears.
The new memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the resilience of the Goffs Oak community and ensures that the impact of the Second World War on the village will not be forgotten by future generations.
VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) marks the end of the Second World War following Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945. The plaque unveiling concludes the Council’s programme of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Other events included the flying of the VE Day flag at Bishops’ College, a remembrance service at Cedars Park, and the lighting of the VE Day beacon at Grundy Park. In addition, bunting was displayed throughout the Borough and a heritage trail highlighting local wartime sites was launched.
The trail can be accessed via the Council’s website, local libraries, and Lowewood Museum, which is currently hosting the exhibition Broxbourne at War until 20 December 2025.