Remembering and Reflecting

The announcement that the war had ended in Europe was broadcast to the British people over the radio late in the day on 7 May. The BBC interrupted its scheduled programming with a news flash announcing that Victory in Europe Day would be a national holiday, to take place the following day. Newspapers ran the headlines as soon as they could, and special editions were printed to carry the long-awaited announcement. The news that the war was over in Europe soon spread like wildfire across the world.

Of course, many people in Britain didn’t wait for the official day of celebration and began the festivities as soon as they heard the news on 7 May. After years of wartime restrictions and dangers – from food and clothes rationing to blackouts and bombing raids – it was understandable how eager folks were to finally be able to let loose and enjoy themselves. Colourful bunting and flags soon lined the streets of villages, towns and cities across Britain. On the eve of VE Day, bonfires were lit, people danced and the pubs were full of revellers.

A national holiday was declared in Britain for 8 May 1945. Various events were organised to mark the occasion, including parades, thanksgiving services and street parties. Communities came together to share the moment announced by Winston Churchill who was the man of the hour on VE Day. Britain’s Prime Minister had been a major driving force behind the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany and, now that peace had come, the British people were keen to celebrate it with him.

At 3pm on VE Day, Churchill made a national radio broadcast. In it, he announced the welcome news that the war had ended in Europe – but he included a note of caution, saying:

‘We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.’

The British Royal Family   also played a central role in London’s victory celebrations. Huge numbers of people surged down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, soon appeared on the balcony to wave to the cheering crowds. While the King and Queen were waving to the crowds for the last time that evening, their daughters were secretly mingling with the jubilant crowds below them.. Princess Elizabeth later recalled, ‘We stood outside and shouted, “We want the King”… I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.’

King George VI, like Churchill, also gave a radio address. In it, he praised his subjects’ endurance and called for a lasting peace. He also paid tribute to those who could not join in the celebrations, saying:

‘Let us remember those who will not come back…let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing.’

It was in that spirit that the Centre invited veterans, colleagues and partners to join our “Street Party” Craiglockhart Campus on 8 May. It was especially poignant that this took place in what had been a World War One hospital where the Doctors Rivers and Brock developed pioneering approaches for officers suffering from shell shock. Two of these officers, Wilfred Owens and Sigfried Sassoon wrote poems there which are still recited and taught across the world. It was only fitting that we began our street party with poetry recited by two pupils from Firrhill High School and from actors from the Leith based Strange Town Theatre Company. Following this our catering staff at Napier served a wonderful and tasty lunch to the accompaniment of Glen Miller tunes. The Rivers Suite was transformed into a wonderful creative space by Alliance partner Veterans Tribe Scotland and Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust where participants were invited to make mementos ranging from wind chines to line prints, to painted stones and flower posies.

It truly was a day of remembrance and reflection, reminding us all of our shared humanity.