Peace was coming 80 years ago in May 1945, but for many, the Second World War was not over. In the Far East, loved ones were still caught up in warfare or in prison camps. When Japan surrendered to Allied Forces on 15 August 1945, it effectively ended the War.
Memories of how some celebrated the first signs of peace and almost the end of the War were shared by Daphne Bradley (1922-2012) in 1995 for Bruce Castle Museum & Archive. Daphne’s family - the Atkinsons - lived in Church Road, Tottenham.
“This is my story... May 8th 1945 was declared a public holiday. We were just two young girls who had gone to London to join in the VE Day celebrations. We met Ray and his friend Chuck who were doing likewise. My girlfriend’s name was Bobbie. Ray and Chuck were American Air Force officers. Everywhere was packed solid and it was impossible to get through the crowds to the Underground station to go home.
“We found ourselves pushed by the crowds towards St. James’ Park and sat beside the lake until dark. We were very hungry as we had been out since early morning. It was impossible to get through the crowds to a café or restaurant. My friend had some cough sweets in her pocket and we shared those between us.
“When it got dark there were searchlights sweeping the sky and a wonderful and beautiful display of fireworks, the like of which we hadn’t seen for many years. We sat beside the lake and watched in wonderment taking in the excitement of it all. I remember Ray saying, ‘Gee, I wish my mother could see this.’ It was quite spectacular!
“It got to midnight. By then the last train had gone. We really did not know what to do and knew my father would be worried. I was wearing only a summer dress as it had been quite warm and sunny for early May and hadn’t expected to be out so late. As we sat on the grass, I felt quite cold and Ray very gallantly took off his jacket and placed it round my shoulders. Hundreds of people were in the park all around us and everyone was going crazy. People were burning park benches and wooden fences and making enormous bonfires. It was impossible to get any sleep. The crowds sat round bonfires singing.
“We stayed in the park until morning came. As the crowds slowly dispersed, we wearily made our way to the nearest Underground station. When I arrived home I was met by a very angry father because I had stayed out all night. We had all exchanged names and addresses and telephone numbers and kept in touch for a while but of course, after the War was completely over, they went their way and we went ours.”
‘Haringey At War’ by Deborah Hedgecock and Robert Waite (Tempus Publishing), available from Bruce Castle Museum & Archive, £12.99
