VE Day – 80
- 8th May 2025
A new exhibition on level 2 of The Hive reflects on the events of 80 years ago.
Victory in Europe Day (8th May 1945) was when the Allies celebrated the end of the war in Europe after nearly 6 long years of conflict.
The images of jubilant crowds waving flags, dancing in the streets with strangers and the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace are well known to us. WAAS have looked in our Archives to see if we can see this day from a slightly different perspective. After the trials and tribulations of conflict, away and on the home front, emotions must have been mixed.
A photograph from the Berrows shows that Worcester was keen to celebrate but an entry in the Worcester City Council Yearbook shows that the Council’s response was more muted. No official celebrations were to be organised until victory in the Far East had been achieved.
Reference 496.5 BA9360/ cab 22/ 26/ 62
Berrows Journal
News that the war in Europe had ended did not come as a surprise and had been anticipated back in Britain for some time as the Allies advanced on Germany.
The entry for 7th May 1945 in the diary of the 446 Battery, Royal Artillery (899:1887/ BA15822) stationed in Palestine, reads:
“That night it was officially revealed what we all expected …. the war with Germany was at and end.”
The entry continues with the surprising statement:
“The end of the war in no way affected the circumstance of our life. There was still the same sand, we were miles from any town and there was a chronic shortage of cigarettes and beer.”
The entry of the 8th May shows that the day itself was made up of parade, free cinema and the Prime Minister’s speech.
In his diary (899:1763/ BA:15639/3) Private Sidney Miller, tank mechanic, stationed in India writes:
“8 May called to a lecture by the Brig (Brigadier)- he didn’t say much just told that peace with Germany was signed.
9 May V. Day – Have had a holiday yesterday and today – browned off doing nothing and nowhere to go.”
For many serving personnel the end of the war would not come until they had been reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, at home in the village of Inkberrow, 3 days of celebration were planned which were to culminate in the lighting of a beacon. Events were recorded in “It happened in 48 hours : Inkberrow’s Instantaneous Invocation : being a souvenir of VE Day and the day following, Tuesday and Wednesday May 8th and 9th, 1945 (942.449 INKE). It is written that:
“The beacon of light would serve some higher purpose than mere merry making. May this beacon of light be emblematic of the new light that is to be …….. And above all, of the LIGHT of world peace.”
When the clamour died down, for many VE and VJ day meant the chance of being reunited with loved ones and starting life afresh. Full of hope they went forward into the future!
For other recollections of VE Day in Worcestershire please read our previous blogs:
www.explorethepast.co.uk/2020/05/remembering-ve-day-75th-anniversary/
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