VE Day

by Helena Noifeld of BBC Radio Kent on behalf of Thelma Barnett.

We lived in Plumstead in South East London. Mother and I were the only two at home. The end of the war was to be announced at The Palace.

We decided to go to the West End. The train was packed with happy people. We arrived at Waterloo Station in the morning. We walked over Westminster Bridge, past Big Ben and Parliament, along The Strand and past Downing Street; on through Trafalgar Square, up The Mall to Buckingham Palace and stood on the steps of the Victoria Monument.

We had a good vantage point and the crowds were huge. We joined in the singing and chanting for the King and Queen. They duly came to the balcony with Mr Churchill and the two princesses. Elizabeth was in the uniform of the 'ATS'.
The cheering was great; everybody surged forward to the Palace railings. Mr Churchill spoke to us, announcing the end of the war. The Royal Family waved then went inside. After returning to wave again and again, everyone was very happy.

We had a lovely day. In the evening we decided to go home, wandering back to Waterloo Station only to find the last train had gone, as most transport did not run during the night. However, we set off to walk home. It was a very long way and as we lived in Plumstead, we got home in the small hours, very, very tired but happy.

I will never forget "VE Day".

'WW2 People's War is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar'