From D-Day to VE Day
Nearly a year after the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, the war in Europe finally came to an end.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, we spoke to some of our last-surviving D-Day veterans, asking them to reflect on the moment they first heard the news that the war was over.
Today these heroes have another gruelling battle on their hands - this time with sight loss. We are honoured to help them regain their confidence and independence so they can live the fulfilled, meaningful lives they so deserve.
Syd's search for a job
After flying a Halifax Bomber on D-Day, Syd struggled to find work after the war.
"I heard the news over on the radio. Oh, we knew it was coming, but everybody was excited. Looking forward to civilian life again wasn't easy though. I was a trainee when I left, but when I got back the firm had closed down. I had to start a new life at 24.
"It was a peculiar time. Men were coming home after years away so there were a lot of mothers trying to tell their children that the stranger in the house was actually their father!
"It was the same when those fighting in the Far East eventually came home. Their health was awful - they were very thin. It took time for them to get used to ordinary life again."
Bob's hopes for his future
After a tense and dangerous D-Day, Bob couldn't wait for the war to end.
"We all put on our sailor suits and went out into Aberdeen for a few drinks. I have a clear recollection of being in a circle of young people and dancing around a policeman! It was just a really happy time. Everyone had a smile on their face and there was lots of cheering. I was very pleased to think I could come home to my mum and dad and start my life again because I was still quite a young man."
Bob was issued with a suit and hat when he was demobbed, to prepare him for his new life. In this video, he tells us about it.
Alec's disappointing return
After surviving the treacherous Arctic convoys, Alec was sad to miss all the fun on VE Day.
"When the war in Europe was over, I was kept at sea searching for three rogue U-Boats. Eventually we heard from the Norwegian Resistance Army that the boats had been scuttled in a Norwegian port and the crews had made their way through Norway back to Germany.
"It was about three weeks after VE Day when I finally got home. All the buns had been put away and people were getting on with their lives."
"To me, it means so much that people were so willing to give up their lives for our country."
Richard's bittersweet relief
Tank driver Richard witnessed many men killed in action, and says of VE Day:
"We couldn't get over the idea that we were no longer going to be shot at, which was rather pleasant!
"We lost a hell of a lot of good, good people, and the Jerries did as well.... I had to bury a lieutenant and a trooper together. I knew them well, you know. It's no joke. I was crying."
Bill's terrible tragedy
Bill saw joy turn to horror on Lüneburg Heath in Germany, where German forces first surrendered.
"There was a detachment of Navy personnel there and we were all drinking and dancing round the bonfire. It was a joyous, carefree day.
"But unfortunately they were drinking the spirits they were supposed to be guarding and, sadly, it turned out to be lethal. Some of them died; some went blind. Luckily, I stayed on the schnapps with my own mob...
"After VE Day, I was moved around a bit and finished up as Task Force, driving officers of the Investigation Branch, tracking down people and treasures."
"I’m aware of the anniversary, but I shan't be out dancing in the street or drinking schnapps!"
Thomas's street party joy
After witnessing terrible sights on D-Day, Thomas loved the VE Day street party organised by his mother.
"I was on leave at home in the UK when I found out on the radio that the war was over. I was glad it had come to an end. You don't realise the excitement to know that it had ended.
"I didn't want it to go on anymore with more people dying. I had quite a few people die during the war."
John's struggle to adjust
John had the dangerous job of clearing the skies over the Channel at night before D-Day. By VE Day, he was attacking U-boats off the Norwegian coast.
“We were all expecting the war to end soon, we knew it couldn’t be too far away. When it was announced my main feeling was one of ‘Well, what are we going to do now?’
"It took a bit of getting used to. We were all tensed up for the job, but we didn’t need to be anymore. We could relax."
"There was only one way to celebrate in those days and that was to drink as much beer as we could!"
George's boozy antics
George, who has sadly passed away, was on a torpedo ship for the D-Day invasion. We share his memory of VE Day with kind permission from his family.
"I was on duty guard that day, but we weren’t about to let those celebrations pass us by! Our job was to check for booze being snuck aboard... Well, as you can imagine, by the time our duty was up, we were barely standing.
"We found ourselves in front of the captain. Luckily, he let us off with just a stern warning. We saw him trying not to laugh at the absolute state of us.
"We were all very happy the war was over, but there was just so much clearing up to do. The aftermath of war is hard work; so many lives to rebuild. I was drafted to a minesweeping ML. Crawling around in a glorified tin can, praying we didn’t hit a mine. Not exactly my idea of a good time!"
Peggy's long-awaited reunion
Navy veteran Peggy, who has also sadly passed away, worked as a linguist and kept a diary throughout the war.
The night before D-Day, Peggy wrote about her worries for her future husband Geoff, who was a prisoner of war. In her entries over VE Day, she described their long-awaited reunion, which we share with kind permission from her family.
Peggy's diary of VE Day
"Geoff came up in the morning, we went to get petrol coupons then looked for coffee but everything was shut on account of VE Day. Yes, the war is over but the agony has been so prolonged that it is rather an anti-climax.
"Had lunch with Geoff, heard Mr Churchill announce the end of the war at 3pm. Had intended to go to the flicks but it was pleasanter to just sit and talk. Geoff is so entirely unchanged it seems impossible he was away so long. Three of the most eventful years of my life and it is as though they have never been.
"After tea, which Geoff produced v swiftly while I was studying, we went for a walk. Heard the King speak at 9 o/c, set off home about 10pm... Got home and found a party in progress... Bonfire, piano in the road, all very jolly. Stayed until after 12, so much for my good intentions of not keeping Geoff up."
Support our D-Day heroes
They fought for us. Now it's your chance to fight for them. Help give our last-surviving D-Day veterans the sight loss support they need.
Read more
VE Day 80: Celebrations across the UK
Blind veterans Thomas, Peter, John and Arthur fondly recall the jubilant revelry that followed the news of VE Day.
VE Day 80: Women at war
ATS girl Neena worked for the Parachute Regiment – and says it was the happiest time of her life.
VE Day 80: Remnants of a brutal war
The joy on VE Day was universal, but as Alice, Derrick and Joan attest, almost six years of war had taken its toll.
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