The 75th anniversary of VE Day was celebrated locally in quite a muted fashion. I don't think people's hearts were in it really, given the social distancing measures in place. I had a wander around the village but there didn't seem to be any street parties, unlike in some places where people have held 'parties' with everyone sitting in their own front gardens. There were a few folk sitting in the back street next to mine, but it hardly seemed to qualify as a party. I did, apparently, miss the piper playing in the grounds of the church. You can see a video of that HERE.
There was some bunting around and a few decorated windows.
My daughter apparently spent the morning baking scones and cakes, using recipes she found in my late mum's old cookery file, which I thought was quite sweet of her. They had 'afternoon tea' in the garden later. She asked me if I had any mementoes of VE day and I've searched my old photos but I couldn't find anything. My parents were just a little too young to be conscripted during the war. They both left school in the later years of the war and took jobs in the General Post Office, dad as an apprenticed telephone engineer and mum as a telephonist. I seem to remember her telling me she was seconded to London for a few months and I think she may have been there on VE Day but that's all I know. Dad later did National Service in REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) but that was after the war ended. In all my rummaging, I did unearth this rather nice photo (below) of the two of them taken in 1947.
'We'll meet again...' seems quite an appropriate anthem now, as then. For all the horrors and individual sufferings of this viral pandemic, I still don't think it comes near the struggle, sacrifice and privations suffered by the generations that had to endure the two World Wars.
How nice your parents look, Jenny. Such a lovely pair! The BD uniform looks familiar. I too served in the REME, from 1963-72. Most of that time was in Germany. Maybe your Dad came here too?
ReplyDeleteThat pic of your parents is sweet, Jenny. Things were pretty quiet here for the day too.
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the women wearing head scarves on a windy day...it was pretty hard to keep curls in one's hair before the age of "hair products"...or to keep curly hair straight as well. I remember seeing my mother wearing scarves later in her life when outside gardening. Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteOh. Your parents look like people I'd like to meet. And so spiffy! You come across as someone I'd like to meet too, with your appreciation of life, manifested in your great photos and sensitive narration. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAll celebrations and holidays are being downplayed this year, but nice to see that people did remember this important one in your country. The photo of your parents was nice to see as was the one of the serviceman displayed in someone's window and the explanation. Happy belated VE day.
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