VE Day memories ‘45 ’70

Alan Richardson took to Deepings Thought & Talk to share this memory “75 years ago, on VE day, I was 5 years old at home (Church St DSJ) with my mum and young brother when we heard a noise outside. We went out and found the local coalman Bill Taylors lorry had been washed clean of coal dust, decked out with flags and bunting. On the back of the lorry were a crowd of people clapping and cheering. Someone lifted me up onto the back and said I could turn the handle on a barrel organ. The lorry was then driven slowly round the village streets and then round neighbouring villages. It carried on for many hours and I was eventually taken home at 10 o’clock at night. We were on double summer time so it was still light! It was an experience that I will always remember!”

Tom & Paula Meeks, Spalding Road 2020

Everything was coming up... well roses! for David and Tracy Musgrove in The Primroses.

Peter Foxon was still fighting the Japanese when the war in Europe came to an end - so at the time of the celebrations in the UK, Peter was in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). His naval career spanned the protection of the Atlantic convoys based in Nova Scotia to joining an assault training course in Scotland in preparation for the D-Day landings. There will be more about Peter’s illustrious career in our August issue.

Kim Parr 2020

Local resident Jill Gibb nee Guy (pictured centre) was on holiday at Weston-Super-Mare during the VJ Day celebrations. Here she is with her Mum, Vera (pictured left) and her grandmother Emily (right). The stylish hats and dresses were bought second hand from a butcher in Stonehouse who set up a little shop in his back room while clothing coupons were in force and new stocks were very limited. Looking through her Mum’s diaries Jill came upon these entries

8th May: VE Day. Simply marvellous. Ken took Jill & Roger out in morning. In evening Ken, Jill & l to service. Stayed out till 10pm.

9th May: Kenneth served at 11am at church. In afternoon Mother came up and she, Jill & l went to Lynwood to tea. To Park at night for dancing.

Jill remembers - “We had two days off from school. I was a pupil in the preparatory section of Stroud Girls’ High School in Gloucestershire (I was six at the time) which was just across the lane from our house. I recall the dancing in Stratford Park and a band playing, and more especially being allowed to stay up until 10pm on both days!”

Ken was Jill’s father and Roger a childhood friend, her grandmother lived in Stonehouse and would have travelled to visit her daughter and her family on the railcar (GWR line) a distance of about 5 miles. Her husband was a railway signalman at Stonehouse station, and was working over the VE Day celebrations.

Phyllis Wilson, West Deeping 2020

Nancy Titman 2020

Mike & Linda Ellis 2020

Brian Thornthwaite 2020

The Deepings held their own 50th VE Day Anniversary Street Party with celebrations and remembrance which took place on Saturday 6th May 1995. We managed to capture the spirit of May 1945 in the Leisure Centre Car Park by organising food, displays, Inter-School Sports, War-time and Military vehicles, a conjurer, Dutch organ and swingboats and a bouncy ‘Colditz’ castle. People arrived by Delaine shuttle bus with plenty to see en route. The tea was obtained using issued identity cards and tables were laid out in traditional style, in red, white and blue. In the evening the sports hall was transformed into a 40s Dance Hall with The Alex Gordon Big Band and the generations danced the night away. Tickets £7.50. A community day to remember.