A MAN from Dorset is on the search for people in the Post area who remember the day of victory for Europe almost 75 years ago, to take part in a new project.

Tom Derrington is the founder of The Silent Generation, a project which aims to encourage the younger generation of talented story-tellers to sit down with their grandparents and great-grandparents and help document their stories and memories before it is too late.

With the 75th anniversary of Victory for Europe Day (VE Day) approaching in May, Tom is hoping to share the stories of people who were there to witness this significant day in world history.

The Silent Generation is a nationwide project, and Tom hopes to hear from residents in the Post area who have memories of the day the war ended in 1945.

Tom said: “It all started with my grandfather, who is 96, who over the last few years has really began to share his memories and stories with us. I began to record them and then started posting some of his stories on social media platforms — which had an amazing response. Other people then began to do the same with their grandparents and share with me, so I decided to create the Silent Generation as a platform to document these amazing stories.

“I think not only is this a way to help bridge a gap between generations, but it also gives our older generation a voice and uses the power of social media to document an important social history.”

Tom is slowly building a following with almost 50,000 followers and a growing number of contributors. People can get involved with something as simple as the phone in their pockets, with the ability to record high quality interviews.

“It would be a tragedy not to document these stories and memories on a wide scale,” Tom continued. “After all, we all seem to be able to tell our own stories pretty well on Instagram and Facebook.”

It is not just veterans Tom hopes to hear from: “With the 75th anniversary of VE Day approaching, I also believe the stories that should be told are not only from veterans, but also from children who remember the street parties, the relieved mothers and reunited couples. I think it would have been a time where everyone who was there, has some kind of story to tell.

“All people need to do is grab their phones, sit down with elderly relatives or neighbours and ask them what they remember about May 8, 1945.”

For more information and a guide for filming basic interviews and a list of potential questions, visit www.thesilentgeneration.com.

Do you have a memory of VE Day that you would like to share with the Post, as well as Tom’s project? Ring the newsdesk on 01566 772 424 to speak to a reporter.