A little after 7.30pm on 7 May 1945, a radio newsflash announced to the people of Britain that Germany had formally surrendered, and the following day would be Victory in Europe (V.E.) Day. It marked the end of almost six years of war across the continent.
The news, which was met with wild jubilation, was not unexpected. With the writing on the wall, Hitler committed suicide on 30 April, and his successor, Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, immediately commenced negotiations with the Allies. Things moved rapidly, with Dönitz’s mind concentrated in a bid to save as much of eastern Germany as possible from the advancing Russian Red Army.
On 4 May 1945 British Army Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery accepted the unconditional surrender of German forces in the Netherlands, north-west Germany and Denmark. On 7 May, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower (who later became the 34th US President) accepted the surrender of all German forces, with this coming into effect the following day.
In Batley, preparations for V.E. Day celebrations were well underway, and this even before the government’s 1 May communication to local authorities about the form they should take. A host of townspeople were already on standby, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice once the eagerly anticipated announcement came. These preparations were as varied as church bell-ringers and the members of Batley Old Band at the ready, whilst other townsfolk stood primed for the immediate erection of platforms in Batley market place. There were plans for religious services, preparations for a bonfire, and arrangements for the floodlighting of public buildings – so that tradition is not a modern phenomenon.
Batley’s schools already had holiday contingencies drawn up – for example, if the announcement came during the afternoon school session or during the evening, they would shut for the two following days. When the announcement did come, because of the timing, St. Mary of the Angels RC schools were shut not only on 8 and 9 May, but also 10 May, it being the Ascension Day holiday. In effect, this meant many St. Mary’s pupils also failed to return for re-opening on Friday, 11 May – with the weekend added on, they spun it out to a six-day break!
Even bakers and confectioners had contingency arrangements. With closures dependent on the announcement timing, they urged customers to carry at least one day’s bread in stock, with the suggestion being if the declaration came on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, these shops would remain open for two hours only to sell goods already made, before shutting for the holiday.
Batley Council’s preparations were so meticulous that a message from the Mayor, Councillor F. W. H. Auty, was published on Friday, 5 May. In it he outlined arrangements for the Victory Parade for the Sunday afternoon following whenever V.E. Day was, and exhorting people to attend their churches and chapels on what was designated countrywide as being ‘Thanksgiving Sunday.’
Once the 7 May evening announcement came, the people of Batley were ready. As V.E. Day morning dawned, the rain failed to dampen the spirits of joy, relief and thankfulness. As if by magic, flags, banners, bunting and garlands appeared on houses, factories, buildings and shops across the town. Unlike today, nighttime outdoor electric fairy lights on private houses were a novelty, so one house provided a real talking point for having outside electric lights forming the “V” for victory sign. The War Memorial, Town Hall, and Parish Church Tower were floodlit, and a revolving lantern was placed in the library clock tower.
Despite the rain persisting into V.E. Day afternoon, Batley Old Band and the Boy Scouts’ Band played at intervals in the Market Place where, at 3pm, Churchill’s momentous radio broadcast to the nation was transmitted, as it was in wireless-owning households across town. Churchill’s broadcast can be heard in full here.
Immediately afterwards, the church bells rang out and, as if sensing the mood, the rain turned to a drizzle before clearing, and by early evening the sun broke through.
At 7pm the Vicar of Batley (Rev. E. C. Hamer), and Mayor’s Chaplain, (Rev. W. J. Bremner), conducted a service in the packed market place. The Mayor, in his address, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Batley for their cheerfulness and steadfastness over the past five years. He also recalled an incident at Waterloo Station following the Dunkirk evacuation, when one of the ‘boys’ told him “Don’t be downhearted for we shall go back because He is with us.” It is a reminder of the central part faith played in the lives of many in this period.
Another reminder of that religious core was the many Church services held across town. These followed the Market Place service, and continued in the days afterwards. They added a reflective note to the thanksgiving, remembering the losses and the suffering which many would endure long after the cessation of hostilities.
The largest of these services was at Batley Parish Church, with a collection there going towards the Church of England’s efforts to raise one million pounds for the churches of Europe – fundraising being interwoven with many events. Other services took place at the Zion Methodist Church, St Luke’s, Staincliffe Baptist Church (which was also opened for private prayer), Staincliffe Christ Church, Batley Road Methodist Church, St Andrew’s at Purlwell (a church which suffered bomb damage in the 1940 Batley air raid), and Carlinghow St John’s. A United Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication was held at Hanging Heaton Parish Church, in conjunction with the Ebenezer Methodist Chapel. Their collection for the Committee for Christian Reconstruction in Europe raised over £14, which equates to over £760 at today’s values.
Continuing the seamless coordination of V.E. Day events, at 9pm King George VI made a radio broadcast from Buckingham Palace, which can be listened to here.
Following this, thousands made their way to Mount Pleasant. Here, at 10pm, the civic-organised bonfire was lit, accompanied by fireworks exploding into the night sky, whilst Red Cross workers, collecting for the Prisoners of War fund, wheeled around an effigy of Hitler. At one point, as the flames leapt skywards, timber crackled, crowds applauded, and the pungent scent of smoke filled the air, there was a fear that the breeze-carried burning embers would set the whole football field alight.
All around, the skyline was illuminated by other celebratory bonfires. From the birds-eye vantage of Caulms Wood Quarry the victory lights view was particularly memorable. The Mount Pleasant bonfire lit up the sky with a warm red glow. Other bonfires in Batley could be seen dotted around streets and open spaces. Towards Earlsheaton the glow from many other bonfires was visible. Between Batley and Dewsbury hundreds of lights shone out from house windows finally divested of their black-out curtains. The bright white glow of pre-war standard electric street lights could once more be seen over Dewsbury. Staincliffe General Infirmary presented a beautiful floodlit scent. A searchlight over to the west repeatedly circled the sky. And above it all, fireworks streaked heavenwards.
Back in Batley, the Fleming Street bonfire raised 10s., (over £27 real price today, no mean feat for a working class street after five years of hardship), which went towards the Batley Red Cross Hospital supplies. The bonfire in Hanging Heaton school yard also included an area for music and old-time dancing, with church organist Mr. W. Hall providing a radiogram (a radio/gramophone combination).
Hitler effigies were a theme, with the one at Oaks Road, made by Roland Whitty, John Harrison, Peter Virr, and Donald Trott, raising 30s. for the Red Cross. The sale of hot peas added another £1 to funds. A Birstall housing estate’s bonfire had a particularly symbolic – and sinister – bonfire topper, a black and yellow SS unit pennant, sent home by a Birstall soldier who took it in the battle of the Rhine.
It is hard to imagine, but for many children, with wartime blackout restrictions, the V.E. Day celebrations would be their first ever experience of the magic of bonfires and fireworks. Though for one Batley St. Mary of the Angels teenager, 14-year-old Margaret Donegan, it was a memorable occasion for all the wrong reasons. Her night ended with an ambulance trip to Batley Hospital, and stitches in her knee.
Whilst no babies were born in Batley Maternity Home on V.E. Day, George and Eleanor Shadbolt, of Back Taylor Street, welcomed their daughter – Dorothy Victory.
The holiday spirit continued on a sunny 9 May, designated V.E Day Plus One, with the combined Batley and Birstall Old Bands entertaining the crowds in Wilton (Batley) Park during the afternoon and evening. People played bowls and tennis, while ice-cream eating, Union Jack flag-waving children bedecked in red, white and blue messed around, boating, bathing and playing.
Elsewhere across Batley, in the afternoon there were Victory street parties and evening bonfires and dances. A Victory ball was held at Batley’s Ambulance Rooms, with members of the Forces admitted free. The Stardusters Band played at a crowded ball at the Co-operative Hall. St Luke’s held a social.
For one St. Mary of the Angels parishioner, 19-year-old Peggy Munns, V.E. Day Plus One had a special significance – it was her wedding day. Her Lancastrian fiancé, Signalman Robert Billington Walmsley, was on ballot leave from the British Liberation Army. Given away by her father Joseph Munns, she wore a white embroidered dress, with a white-feathered headdress and veil, and carried a bouquet of tulips and roses. After a reception at Wilton Park’s Lakeside Cafe, the couple left for their honeymoon in Blackpool.
Despite mixed weather, the weekend of 12/13 May marked another round of celebrations. Fortunately, the Saturday morning rain cleared for the many Victory parties and bonfires held across the streets of Batley. They were varied in size and form, but in all cases children were at the heart and, despite rationing, neighbours came together pooling food. Here are just a few:
- A Borough Road party, attended by around 70 children, where a piano was brought out for community singing. A decorated table was set up in the road, with residents filling it with party food, including trifle, cakes and pastries.
- At Beaumont Street, Mount Pleasant, 32 children were entertained. There, a gramophone (old style record player) provided music, and each child received a sixpence.
- Also at Mount Pleasant, each child on Colbecks Yard was given a bar of chocolate. Surplus party food was sold in aid of the Red Cross.
- At Whitaker Square, 36 children enjoyed their street party; at Yard 1 (Wellington Street), the number of children was 10.
- Warwick Mount’s Victory party organised by Mrs. Crowther and Mrs. Perry catered for 26 adults and 14 children. Neighbours shared provisions, to put on tea and supper. Children received sweets, oranges and 2s., which equates to £5.45 today. Babies were given 3s. In the evening there was a bonfire, with yet another Hitler effigy. A gramophone was brought out to accompany the dancing. Then they had another party and beetle drive on Sunday.
- Mrs. A. Padgett provided a radiogram for the Yard 1, Norfolk Street party for around 25 people. A firework display followed tea.
- Mrs. H. Marriott and Miss A. Walker organised the party covering the Copley and Loxley Streets area of Carlinghow. Here, over 40 children were entertained. Neighbours provided food, with adults eating after the children. There were games, and musical entertainment came in the form of both a piano and gramophone.
- A bunting and flag-decorated Trafalgar Street was the venue for the Healey district party, organised by married couple Ernest and Ellen Scott of number 30. Around 60 children played games, and were given ice-cream, oranges and sweets. In the evening a bonfire was lit, whilst George Powell played the piano and Geoffrey Mitchell the accordion for dancing and community singing. The Red Cross benefited to the tune of 30s, raised via a competition and collection.
- The residents of Clutton Street, West Street and Lady Anne Road organised a party for around 38 children living there. Tea was followed by ice-cream. Entertainments included a treasure hunt, singing by Bill Brannan, singing and dancing by Misses Patricia Gledhill and Vera Plumb, and a performance by illusionist Mrs. Joe Sheard. After a pie and pea supper, each child was presented with 1s. 6d. Later, Messrs. Abe North, A. Law and Jack Taylor played ‘delightful music’ on their cornets, and the grown-ups sang with them until midnight.
Other parties included one at Taylor Street on Tuesday. An effigy of Hitler was utilised as a novel way to raise the money to fund it. After the children’s tea, this effigy was burned on a bonfire. Here, the children received oranges and ice-cream. Also on Tuesday, the neighbours of Royd Street, Hanging Heaton, treated the children there to a supper and a bonfire.
I have been asked if extra rations were allowed for these parties. From what I’ve read, rations of extra sugar, and fat etc. were not allowed for these street parties, unless the party was organised by the Red Cross or similar. Some did query it because extra sugar and fat could be obtained for a wedding. But because VE Day was a nationwide celebration, there was a genuine fear that if restrictions were lifted there would be not enough food for all the events. The only exception appears to be that that the Board of Trade confirmed people could purchase red, white and blue bunting without using their coupons. And on the morning of 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Churchill received assurances from the Ministry of Food that there were sufficient beer supplies in London!
And on Saturday 12 May, there was another military wedding for Father McBride to officiate over at a St. Mary of the Angels. The bride was Mary Phillips of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the Army established to undertake non-combatant roles, thus freeing up men for those. The 25-year-old daughter of James and Margaret Phillips, she married Pte. Johnnie Keelan, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who came from Glasgow. She wore a turquoise two-piece trimmed with gold. Her accessories were brown, and she carried a spray of pink carnations and white heather. Like newly-weds Peggy and Robert Walmsley days earlier, this couple also had their reception at the Lakeside cafe, followed by a Blackpool honeymoon.
The main final acts marking Victory in Europe took place on Sunday 13 May, ‘Thanksgiving Sunday’. Churches and chapels up and down the country held special services to give thanks for Britain’s deliverance from danger. These services were followed by Victory parades.
Under threatening skies, the Batley parade participants assembled at 2.30pm in the Old Foundry Yard (in the Branch Road/St. James Street area), processing to the Market Place via Bradford Road, Hick Lane and Commercial Street. The mix of participants illustrated how many organisations, both military and Home Front, had been involved in the war effort. Those participating included repatriated prisoners of war, members of the military, the Home Guard, the British Legion (Batley and Birstall Branches), Toc H (Batley Branch), K.O.Y.L.I (Batley Branch Regimental Association), Police and Specials (Batley and Birstall), the National Fire Service, Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, Ambulance Cadets, the Volunteer Stretcher Bearer Company, Salvation Army, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps, Girls Training Corps, Church Lads’ Brigade, the Boy Scouts, Report Centre Staff, Air Raid Wardens, Rescue Decontamination and Repair, Messenger Service, Casualty Services, Fire Guards, The Mortuary Service, Food Decontamination Service, Mayoress’s Comforts Committee, Women’s Voluntary Service, the Central Hospital Supply Service, Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association, and other members of the public who had contributed to the war effort.
Once in the Market Place, the Mayor addressed the assembled throng, praising the unity of the people in the face of the critical days of 1940 following the Dunkirk evacuation and Battle of Britain. He urged that peace should not be once more thrown away as it was in 1918, and once the celebrations were over, people should “work for the benefit of those who fought for freedom and have won the right to be free.” His speech included a moment’s silence to remember those who had given their lives.
This address was followed by a short service conducted by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev. Bremner.
The event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. The minute the last note was sung, the heaven’s opened with such intensity, drenching the majority as they scattered for shelter. It marked the official end of the celebrations in Batley.
As celebratory as V.E. Day in Batley was, it should not be forgotten that for many families and individuals across town the day was difficult, a reminder of loved ones who would never return home, of lives, minds and bodies scarred forever. And the War itself was not at an end, with the Far East war still raging as Japan fought on. VJ Day, 15 August 1945, and the end of World War II, was still three months away.
Finally, if you do have any memories or photographs of Batley’s V.E. Day celebrations, please do let me know. It would be great to add them here as part of Batley’s history of that day.
I can be contacted at: pasttopresentgenealogy@btinternet.com
For more about the impact of World War II on Batley please read my post about the night the Luftwaffe bombed Batley and Dewsbury, which can be found by clicking here.
For more details about the areas in Batley hit that night, and the air raid warden reports click here.
For damage to specific houses in various streets across Batley during that 12/13 December 1940 air raid see:
- For Part 1 – Street names commencing A to B click here.
- For Part 2 – C to F click here.
- For Part 3 – G to J click here.
- For Part 4 – K to N click here.
- For Part 5 – O to P click here.
- For Part 6 – Q to T click here.
- For Part 7 – U to Z click here.
Please also read the section of my Batley St Mary’s One-Place Study about parishioners serving in the military who died in the conflict, the introduction of which can be found here.
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Multiple sources were used to compile the above account, from local papers to family history records – there are far too many to list.
Past To Present Genealogy 