The 8th of May 1945 was declared VE Day – Victory in Europe Day – after Germany officially surrendered to the Allies, signifying an end to six years of war in Europe. World War II was officially over once Japan surrendered in August (15 August is VJ Day – Victory over Japan Day) and the surrender document signed on 2 September 1945.

To commemorate the 80^th anniversary of VE Day, we’re highlighting some of the records we hold relating to the end of hostilities in Europe in 1945, and how people throughout North Yorkshire chose to commemorate and celebrate this momentous occasion. Whilst entertaining events were planned, there was also emphasis on thanksgiving, remembrance and resolve.  

During the war years, the county had suffered significant numbers of civilian casualties and damage to towns, as summarised in a report from the North Riding Emergency Committee, 6 June 1945.

Extract from a report of the North Riding Emergency Committee, 6 June 1945 [NRCC/C/1 No. 21 Minutes]

With the news that war was now over, there was much to be thankful for as communities throughout the county marked the occasion in different ways.

A radio announcement the evening before VE Day declared a national holiday in celebration. School children were given two days’ holiday. A circular ‘Cease Fire in Europe’, from the North Riding Education Committee, was sent to every primary and secondary school prior to the VE Day announcement confirming arrangements.

‘Cease Fire in Europe’ circular from the North Riding Education Committee, 17 April 1945 [S/TH 3]

Numerous log books relating to North Yorkshire schools, including Giggleswick and Fairburn, record the special holiday.

Detail from Giggleswick School log book, showing entry for VE Day, 8 May 1945 [S/GIG 1/3]

Detail from Fairburn school log book showing entry for VE Day, 8 May 1945 [S/FAI 1/4]

In Scarborough, a VE Day open-air service of thanksgiving was held. Troops in formation lined the area between the railway station, the Odeon cinema and West Square. Despite the rain, large crowds of spectators gathered under umbrellas.

VE Day open-air service of thanksgiving in Scarborough, 1945 [SC115435]

We continue to string bunting to mark VE Day anniversaries, just as people did in 1945. Flags of Allied nations and cheerful red, white and blue bunting adorned buildings up and down the country to mark the occasion, with “Flags for Victory Day” adverts appearing in local newspapers.

Flags for Victory Day advertisement for Dawson & Co. of Harrogate [N]

Northallerton Urban District Council pulled out all the stops to mark the end of WWII, with four days of organised activities to ‘Celebrate the Termination of Hostilities in Europe’. The events at Northallerton included church services, children’s sports, dancing, a bonfire and a victory parade culminating in an open-air service of thanksgiving – to be held in the Lyric cinema if bad weather (which it reportedly was!).

Northallerton Urban District Council VE celebrations leaflet and parade route plan, 1945 [Z.370]

Follifoot Parish Council planned a VE Day bonfire and church services, followed by a weekend of events including a cricket match, a whist drive and a dance.

Follifoot Parish Council minutes of the meeting of 18 April 1945, discussing the forthcoming VE Day celebrations [PC/FOL 5/3]

The people of Church Fenton chose to honour returning forces’ men and women with a ‘Welcome Home Fund’ – plus the offer of an annual sum thereafter via the village Knitting Fund!

Minutes of the public meeting held at Church Fenton on 4 April 1945 regarding the ‘Welcome Home Fund’ for service personnel [PC/FEC 10/1/1]

On 8 June 1946, the official Victory Celebrations were held in London, involving a military parade of Allied forces and evening fireworks. As part of the celebrations, King George VI issued every school child in the country with a certificate celebrating the first anniversary of VE Day and looking towards world peace and unity. The example in our collections belonged to a child from Northallerton.

King George VI Victory certificate, 8 June 1946, which belonged to a child from Northallerton [ Z.1660]

Whilst VE Day & VJ Day were celebrated at home, it would be some time before all the troops returned. Follifoot parish council organised a social and dance on New Year’s Day 1947 for the forces’ men and women of Follifoot, Crimple, Rudding and Plompton.

Poster advertising a welcome home social and dance, organised by Follifoot Parish Council, January 1947 [PC/FOL 5/4]

Photographs from the Ripon Re-Viewed Project collection created by Ripon Civic Society give us further insight into how this North Yorkshire city marked VE Day in May 1945. There was a celebratory parade through the marketplace on VE Day, with a service of remembrance, thanksgiving and resolve held at Ripon Cemetery the following day. WWI veterans attended the commemorative service, and relieved air-raid precaution wardens celebrated with a dinner, captured in the photographs below.

Left: Military parade, Ripon, 1945 [EF446-D6012] Right: WWI veterans, Ripon, 1945 [Ripon Re-Viewed collection EF446-D6107 ]

Air-raid precaution wardens celebrating VE Day, Ripon 1945 [Ripon Re-Viewed collection EF446-F6008]

Service in Ripon Cemetery, 9 May 1945 [Ripon Re-Viewed collection EF446-D6111 & D6112]

Sources and further reading:

Imperial War Museum webpage on ‘What You Need To Know About VE Day‘

Several images used in this blog come from the Ripon Re-Viewed Project collection created by Ripon Civic Society and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Many of the photographs from the Ripon Re-Viewed collection can be viewed and purchased via North Yorkshire Archives’ online shop.