Do You Have Memories Of VE Day in 1945?

Published on: 23 Apr, 2015
Updated on: 23 Apr, 2015

By David Rose

Friday May 8 is the 70th anniversary of VE Day. In 1945 it was a public holiday to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The act of military surrender by the Nazis to the Allies was signed on May 7, 1945, in Reims, France, and Berlin, Germany the following day.

VE Day party at the Tilehost Estate, Stoughton, Guildford.

In Britain people took to the streets to celebrate, although it wasn’t until August 14, 1945, that the war in the Far East ended when Japan surrendered.

To mark the anniversary of VE Day, The Guildford Dragon NEWS will be looking back to that historic event and the celebrations that took place in and around Guildford.

I will be basing a feature on information and pictures I have in my archives and from my book Guildford the War Years 1939-45 (co-written with Graham Collyer and published in 1999). However, I am always keen to hear more stories and people’s memories, and to see photos.

If you were around back then and recall where you were and perhaps how you celebrated I would like to hear from you.

If you weren’t but have stories told to you by friends or family, do make contact.

Either jot down your memories and send them on an email to drosedragon@gmail.com or come along to the Park Barn Centre on Wednesday morning, April 29, from 10am to noon. Anna Valentina, who writes for the Guildford Dragon NEWS, will be there to talk to you and note your stories. I will also be there and if you have any photographs we’d like to see those too.

Responses to Do You Have Memories Of VE Day in 1945?

Jean Oldaker Reply

May 4, 2015 at 8:49 pm

Even though I was not quite three years old at the time, I remember VE Day clearly. We lived in Woodbridge Road and that evening my mother dressed me in my best dress – black watch tartan with white elephant buttons down the front – and we walked into Guildford, up North Street and Market Street to the top. All the lights were on in the Bulls Head, the doors were open, everyone was laughing and singing, and some we’re even dancing in the High Street. Then we walked home – I’ll never forget that evening.
Barbara Lewis Mallyon Reply

May 5, 2015 at 12:48 pm

May 6th is my birthday, what a lovely birthday present to have announced on the radio that on that day in 1945 the war was over.

On the 7th May the same announcement on the radio.

The 8th May 1945 came the final announcement, it has been declared that the War is finally over. This is a birthday I will never forget.