People of Newbury and surrounding villages remember the day the Second World War ended, 80 years on
Today (Thursday) marks 80 years since the Second World War ended in Europe.
The world celebrated when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies on May 8, 1945, after nearly six years of war. But the fighting still raged on in the Far East.
In Newbury, streets were decorated with flags and bunting. When the BBC announced on the Monday evening that the next two days would become public holidays, festivities soon followed.
Communities held thanksgiving services, lit beacons, bands played and children sat down to tea. A ‘realistic Adolf’ effigy was tied to the stake in Connaught Road.
And more than 700 people, including ex-servicemen, danced the night away at the Corn Exchange.
Others sat on roofs and open windows to watch the Victory Parade pass through Market Place.
In Thatcham, anvils were fired in The Broadway and beacon fires blazed on Coombe Hill and Inkpen Common.
But how do those who were present reflect on this momentous day and their wartime experiences eight decades on? Some of them, from Newbury and the surrounding villages, generously shared their recollections with us.
Edwin Jones
Newbury man Edwin ‘Eddie’ Jones (1923-2020) was a telegraphist for the HMS Ultor submarine.
He was docked at Copenhagen harbour when his radio sprang into life declaring that war in Europe was over.
“My first thought was that I wished I could contact my parents and let them know I was safe, but that was not allowed,” Eddie recalled in his memoirs.
His daughter Carol Brindley, from Kingsclere, added: “He had to deliver the message walking through the submarine to the captain's cabin, without giving anything away, because the captain had to be the first to know.”
But there was no chance to celebrate for Eddie, who was redeployed on a troop ship to New Zealand to collect Allied servicemen stationed there.
Less than a year earlier, he had served on a motor gunboat that supported British troops as they landed on Gold Beach during D-Day.
Carol continued: “He spent his training at a naval barracks and used to walk down to the local pub to play skittles. One of the people in his team was Prince Philip.
“He was just a young lad. He never spoke about [the war] until very near the end of his life.
“I had two of his naval shirts. He allowed me, when I was about 13 or 14, to tie-dye them and wear them out to play.”
After the war, Eddie worked at the Newbury Weekly News as a compositor until he retired in 1988.
Carol unveiled a memorial bench to her father on the banks of the canal in West Mills.
Eddie had spent his childhood in Gloucester Road and lived with his wife for 25 years at Mallard Court.
Reginald Piper
Reginald ‘Reg’ Piper, 94, has lived in Ashmore Green and Cold Ash his whole life. He has vivid recollections of VE Day, when he was just a boy of 15.
“News of the Third Reich’s surrender quickly spread around the village,” he said. “The church bells rung and flags were flown.”
Reg attended Newbury Grammar School for Boys, which shut for the day owing to the festivities.
He added: “Many of the staff were serving in the Armed Forces so the temporary staff were often retired clergy.
“That morning, I recall great excitement arose in Ashmore Green when a Lysander aircraft landed in one of the fields near our home.
“It was the son of farmer Philip Haine making an unscheduled stop as he passed over his home to celebrate with his father.
“We children were invited to assemble in fancy dress at Southend. As we moved off, we held up an army lorry carrying German prisoners of war, who viewed the scene with apparent disapproval.
“On arrival at the recreation ground, we received an orange before engaging in organised sports.
“Later, we moved off again to The Castle pub, where we were given lemonade, cakes and buns. The day ended with singing before the party dispersed.”
Reg recalled the collective relief now that black outs, gas masks, air raid shelters and the gun emplacements by Thirtover Farm were no longer needed.
He also remembers using ration books to purchase essential goods until 1950 due to ongoing shortages.
Brian Sylvester
Newbury’s former town crier Brian Sylvester also recalled how celebrations filled the streets on VE Day. Brian then lived in a small council house with his family in Leicester.
Brian, then aged seven, had lost his father who was serving in the Far East. His mother remarried and the family moved down to Kensington after the war.
Asked what VE Day means to him, he said: “Sadness, obviously, because I lost my father. But gladness that we won.”
He continued: “People paraded and waved flags. A bonfire blazed away and people danced around it.
“And the following day, the fire was still going so we cooked jacket potatoes in the cinders.
“Then people just got on with their lives.”
Brian fondly remembers troops of the USAAF 82nd Airborne Division visiting his family home while they were stationed near Leicester.
He said: “I remember them coming round on a jeep one Sunday afternoon with a great big tub of ice cream. Quite a luxury at that time [sweet rationing did not end in the UK until 1953].
“My job was to keep the gramophone wound up so they had continuous music. I was paid lots of Yankee sweets and gum for my services.
“It was things like oranges which you just didn't see. I didn’t see a banana until I was nine, although I do remember pineapples in tins.”
Do you have memories of VE Day? Please share your photos and stories with us at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk
