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Children in wartime

5. Victory!

How did we celebrate the end of the War?

After nearly 6 years, the war ended in May 1945, although hostilities continued with Japan until August.

May the 8th, 1945 was declared a National holiday. This became known as VE Day, standing for Victory in Europe.

There were street parties for the children. Everyone celebrated. Searchlights were put on. Food which had not been available for years appeared. Shrewsbury Borough Council fitted a gramophone to the Market Hall, and in Much Wenlock an effigy of Hitler was burned on Windmill Hill.

A large street party round a table in the street with bunting overhead

VE Day Celebrations
[Reproduced with kind permission of the Oswestry and Border Counties Advertiser]

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Page created October 2003 and last updated 30 July 2007

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