The days of rationing and bravery were remembered at the weekend as Bratton turned the clock back to the Second World War.

The first Bratton at War: Operation Omega was staged by the Military Vehicle Trust and Wiltshire Home Guard to mark the anniversary of the battle of Arnhem and featured re-enactments spanning the period of 1940-44.

Normandy veteran Bob Conway opened the event on Saturday and visitors were able to step back in time to see a 1940s soup kitchen, tea room, house, toy shop and police station.

Brian Hinton, a member of Wiltshire Home Guard, helped organise the event and said: “It is the first time we have done one in Bratton and decided to create it for the commemoration of Operation Market Garden.”

The event was held in a field next to the B3098, which was the closest the group could get to Keevil Airfield, where the gliders were launched to take part in the military operation.

Mr Hinton said: “We had very low fog for some time on Saturday. The cloud didn’t lift high enough and the Royal British Legion Parachute Display Team based in Netheravon couldn’t drop in.

“On Sunday it was a beautiful, clear day with a steady stream of people. The parachute display team could drop in and were ‘shot at’ by the German re-enactment group.”

A rock and roll club made sure people were entertained and there were 22 different traders, 26 static displays and four streets: Feeder Road, Victory Parade, Gunners Hill and Blitz Street.

Mr Hinton added: “Our main demonstration at the moment is dealing with small unexploded bombs.

“Their objective when they hit the ground was to set fire to things. There were mainly pyrotechnics (on the day).

“There was also a German unit called Tom and Jerry, which had weapons and equipment from the Second World War. Youngsters got the chance to see everything both armies carried.

“We wanted to show people what it was like. It makes people think and ensures that those who made sacrifices during the war are not forgotten.

“Bratton at War is the last one on the circuit for MVT this year but we will return next year.”

For more information, visit www.wiltshirehomeguard.co.uk