Catholic and Protestant, we all danced and sang to celebrate Victory in Europe Day

I clearly remember VE Day seventy five years ago, aka ‘Victory in Europe’, and the celebrations that took place.
By Harry Stephenson
Published 9th May 2020, 18:14 BST
Updated 9th May 2020, 18:17 BST
Men, women and children celebrating 'Victory in Europe Day' in the street in an unidentified city in the UK on May 8 1945. Such celebrations took place across the nation, including Northern Ireland. Photo: PA WireMen, women and children celebrating 'Victory in Europe Day' in the street in an unidentified city in the UK on May 8 1945. Such celebrations took place across the nation, including Northern Ireland. Photo: PA Wire
Men, women and children celebrating 'Victory in Europe Day' in the street in an unidentified city in the UK on May 8 1945. Such celebrations took place across the nation, including Northern Ireland. Photo: PA Wire

The BBC made the momentous news to the world, that Germany and its Nazi army had surrendered in its war, against Britain/USA and other countries of this alliance.

Being a resident in a home, that was built for those who fought, and survived the total inhumane horrors of this first world war, it goes without saying that every man, woman and child of our neighbourhood needed no encouragement to come out on to the streets, where they all danced and sang shaking hands with each other, including the children at this wonderful news.

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This being Northern Ireland, Catholic and Protestant I would like to add.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Now regrettably, but understandably, the celebrations were somewhat constrained, with us having war-time rationing of food and clothing, and more important, having little money to make any purchase, if only via the black-market.

People had to have a ‘dig for Britain’ or go hungry.

Thankfully each of our houses had sufficient land to grow something, potatoes being top of the list, even the school-children had to dig, myself included.

It was the end of the days of having to comply with having a complete black-out situation from any door or window, which was rigidly imposed by a special force of guards, to ensure not one house had any light showing.

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Yes times were tough, but I ask is there a lesson to be learned here?

The people bonded together sharing/exchanging a drop of sugar, milk, dry tea, including clothing and shoes that no longer fitted the wearer, I myself was such a beneficiary of people’s kindness.

As for VJ Day (Victory in Japan), that is another story, of man’s inhumanity to man.

Harry Stephenson, Kircubbin, Co Down

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Related topics:GermanyEuropeProtestantUSABBCBritainNorthern Ireland