75 years since VE Day

[FredaE]

I remember VE Day. I remember my Mother turning away from the Wireless and saying. The Germans have surrendered, its over. Please God we will never have to fight the Germans again.

In our house there was no nonsense about glorious Victory. No triumphalism. It meant the horrors were over - no one seemed to have registered that the war in the Far East was still raging but for us it meant that there would be no more bombing, that my father would never again have to climb a ladder to put out the fires that consumed the docks in the Easrt End of London, Uncle Arthur would come home safely from the sea and Uncle Sid from the desert to see his wife and son for the first time for years, Uncle Will could go back to his nightwatchmans job in Liverpool without having to watch for firebombs. Poor uncle Stan would not be coming back. He went down with HMS Redmill off the coast of Ireland on 27th of April just over a month before the end of the war.

I don't think I shall be watching the television much today because I fear that people will forget that for many people like my grandparents it was a very bittersweet day. It must have had a profound effect on me because when Victor died from MSA I caught myself switching from hopng for a cure to thinking "yes but not just yet. I don't know how I would cope with losing him just before the end of the war" The cure will come one day and when we are all rejoicing we should spare a thought for those who nearly benefitted from it

The good news is that the fish in the pond are makng whoopee today - we thought the big bad heron had caught them over the winter before we netted it.. they are not great conversationalists and like to hide in pretty blue flower like a forget me not so we had not seen them this year at all

[sassy59]

Such memories you have FredaE, not everyone partying it seems. I only remember what my mum told me when I was a child. Such a relief for the war in Europe to be over. Terrible times for so many and overwhelming sadness for those who never made it home again.

We will remember them and today we should remember those who succumbed to this awful virus many of whom would have been alive during the war. Bless them all.

Such great news about your fish. Pleased to hear that. Xxxxx😘

[FredaE in reply to sassy59]

The fish clearly had an exhaussting day - they were still chasing around at tea time but yesterday they were taking it easy and all we saw was the odd whisk of a tail.. The pond skaters were busy and the water boatman who live underwater had obviously woken up hungry

They say on the village facebook page that the swifts and swallows are here but I have not seen the swallows and I think I saw a swift very high up this morning.

[Hellebelle]

Hi Freda,

I understand your sentiments. I always feel mixed emotions at these times as my family, like most in this country had lost loved ones and my grandfather had lifelong health conditions until he died.

I am pleased about your fish. It's glorious weather to enjoy your lovely garden.

Helen xx

[Hidden]

Hi FredaE,

So interesting to hear your recollection of VE day. The sense of relief at being safe must have been palpable. And yet so many families suffered the devastation of loss of loved ones and property. I wasn't born until 1948 and grew up in Oxford which wasn't bombed but whenever we left the city, there was devastation everywhere. It wasn't until the end of the 50s/start of the 60s that regeneration was really complete.

I'm with you about TV coverage and actively avoid it. I absolutely don't agree with glorifying our actions in war. We fought and defeated a menacing enemy but it was of its generation and we have to learn to let go and move on, whilst quietly remembering our losses. And we have lost and will lose yet more people to this new and deadly enemy.

But on a cheerier note great to hear that your fish have, after all, escaped the attention of the herons. Good to know they are still around. Thanks for your thoughts and remembrance FredaE. Enjoy your weekend.

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Totally agree with letting go, moving on whilst quietly remembering our losses. Well said. Xxxxx😘