Last Friday, 8th May marked 75 years from the end of the war in Europe, more commonly referred to as VE Day.
Sadly, because of reasons we are all now very familiar with and I’m loath to say the name, the nationwide celebrations (and beyond) were cancelled.
Instead, those that were leading the commemorations came up with other ways that we could mark the day in the comfort of our our homes.
We began at 11:00 with a two minute silence. Churchill’s victory speech was broadcast at 15:00 and the nation was encouraged to toast ‘those that gave so much, we thank you’.
Socially-distanced parties were encouraged for anyone that had a garden or area in which to sit out. Despite living in the same place for 8 years, I barely knew my neighbours, other than to exchange the usual pleasantries. This current horrible situation—coupled with this great day to celebrate those who fought for freedom and suffered so many hardships to get our nation through war—actually brought people together 75 years later.
Here are a few pictures from my day. I was remembering in particular my grandfather, Private Ron Shrubsole of the Royal Artillery, who fought in Africa and then Italy. Also I thought of my maternal grandfather, Private Bill Covington, who was dispatched to India in 1945. I also displayed a photograph of my Nan, Betty Shrubsole, who stood on a train platform in the South East and handed food to soldiers through train windows as they returned from Dunkirk. A few years later when she was old enough, she headed into the munitions factories. It was and is important that we remember the sacrifices that everyone made in order to get through the war.
