Almost six years of struggle had come to an end with the conclusion of World War II in Europe, leading people to flood the streets in celebration 80 years ago. However, the happiness was often overshadowed for those who had lost loved ones.
Here, four individuals share their personal memories alongside familial stories.
“We’ve heard that the bloody war is finally over, thank God for that.”
Raymond Grace
Captain
In May 1940, a full five years before the war wrapped up, 29-year-old Captain Raymond Grace was captured near Dunkirk after a fall from his bike. Born in May 1911 in Seven Oaks, Kent, Raymond enlisted with the Buffs and the Royal East Kent Regiment, spending time in four German POW camps before being held at Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, the largest camp in Germany.
“They’re a great opportunity to see them,” said Raymond’s son, Chris, co-founder of the Welsh television channel S4C, who lives in Cardiff. Chris remembers his father sharing a story about when General George S. Patton visited after his release. “Apparently, Patton told them, ‘You’re a free boy!’ My father said the Americans brought a donut truck and ran around until he and the other prisoners got really sick.”
While imprisoned, Raymond meticulously documented his experiences, including what transpired on VE Day.
Sunday, May 6th
“A bit of positive news came at 6:30 PM when a US Colonel announced that all evacuations were contingent on the weather and available planes… Later… [10 PM] – 5,200 of us are set to move tomorrow at 5 AM!! Oh boy!”
Monday, May 7th
Amid packing chaos, I couldn’t sleep, so I made tea – maybe the last time at Paucamp? – at 3:15 AM…
At 4:45 PM, we were told there was limited hope of escaping that night, with only 70 out of 200 believing it might happen…
I heard the bloody war is finally over. Thank you, God.
Tuesday, May 8th
At 12:30 PM, we dressed for the plane when things got chaotic, resulting in a collision with three other planes, setting one on fire! All American passengers exited safely, though I didn’t hear what happened to the crew.
In the air at 2:50 PM… I heard the Prime Minister’s address at 3 PM through the pilot’s headset. It was a relief to hear that the truce was officially signed.
Finally, we landed at 5:25 PM, not far from Reims… We wandered toward some tents and were well-cared for by the US military. Hot meals – the best I’ve had in five years – included a 10-mile ride for a bath, followed by more food, and finally sleep at 11:45 PM on cots crammed into a large tent. There wasn’t much organization, which felt strange after the last few years.”
Two days later, on May 10, 1945, Raymond arrived in Bradfield St. George, Suffolk, reuniting with his wife, Christine, and meeting his five-year-old son, Charles, for the first time. He passed away in 1982 at 70.
Back in England, VE Day sparked street parties, parades, and crowds gathering at Buckingham Palace in hopes of seeing King George VI and the royal family.
‘The day was enjoyed with perhaps more noise than reason.’
Kenneth Cohen
Commander and Intelligence Controller
CMDR Kenneth Cohen was among those crowds. Born in March 1900, he joined the Royal Navy and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in the late 1930s. Colin, his son from Warwickshire, recalled how Kenneth managed the French intelligence network, even collaborating with Charles de Gaulle’s Free French army. By VE Day, he was in charge of operations in Western Europe and reached Czechoslovakia by the war’s end. That day, he received a message acknowledging the staff’s hard work from the Chief of the Secret Service.
“He was unbelievably modest,” reminisced his son Colin, who passed away in 1984.
In an excerpt from Kenneth’s unpublished memoir, he described joining the jubilant VE Day crowd.
“We celebrated VE Day with more noise than perhaps was warranted. I was there with friends, my daughter Carol, and my wife Mary, and even our three-month-old son Colin. We were in a massive crowd outside the palace. The King and Queen appeared on the balcony, but the crowd yelled out for ‘Lizzie and Maggie.’ I suddenly saw Diana Bowes Ryong beside me—my secretary, and they were first cousins. I asked her, ‘How about that?’ and she remarked the two princesses looked well, despite being surrounded by masses of people screaming for them from the palace balcony.”
“There were a lot of people.”
Joanna Burden
Modern Foreign Language Teacher
Joanna, just five years old at the time, had one of her earliest memories on VE Day. Now 84 and a teacher of modern foreign languages, she recalls initially feeling frightened by the huge crowd. “We lived in the suburbs of London and traveled to the city center, standing outside Buckingham Palace, where my parents wanted to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen.”
“There were so many people. I was just a tiny child, holding my parents’ hands, really scared of being crushed in the crowd.
“Then my dad lifted me onto his shoulders. It offered me a height advantage and a better view of the thousands around us. Everyone was singing, cheering, and dancing in the streets. When the royal family and Winston Churchill came to the balcony, the excitement was palpable.”
Joanna’s son, Joel, 53, now works in publishing, noting that his sister deserves all the credit for interviewing their grandparents about these memories. “She is studying heritage as part of her A-levels.”
However, not everyone felt festive. Millions had lost their lives during the war—nearly 70 million, with civilians making up about two-thirds of that number.
“I was very indifferent and just wanted to be with you.”
Peter Wilmott
Sergeant
Born in December 1915, Sergeant Peter Wilmott served in the RAF as a ground crew member due to a color blindness condition that prevented him from flying. He had initially trained as a gardener before pivoting to that role, eventually passing away in 1990 at 74.
On VE Day, he wrote a letter to his wife, Blanche, expressing a sense of indifference. “This suggests that the joy of dancing in the streets wasn’t universal,” said their daughter, Frances Watkins, living in Oxfordshire.
“My dearest girl,” he began the letter, “I fear I’m not faring as well as I should, but the proximity of VE Day has sapped any morale I had left…”
He reflected on their wedding, describing how, while the war seemed perpetual back then, peace felt surreal now. “It’s been hard to process the end of this long ordeal. I slightly regret not being able to join in the celebrations, but I prefer to think quietly about how life will change…”
“I never imagined I’d be writing this sort of letter on VE Day, but life rarely turns out the way we expect.”
“For now, I hope to see you soon. That thought brings me comfort.”
“As always, all my love. Your devoted husband, Peter.”
