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80th Anniversary of VE Day: Moments of Joy, Loss, and the Long Road Home
- Clare Wilson
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
On the 8th May 1945, the war in Europe officially came to an end and news of Germany’s surrender was met with an outpouring of celebration. Flags were waved and strangers danced and embraced in the streets. But behind the cheering crowds and the joyous headlines, VE Day was far more complex for many families.
A Moment of Joy
For 6 years, the British had endured bombings, rationing and loss. VE Day brought with it a sense of relief, finally, the war in Europe has come to an end! Yet for many, it was not a day of happiness or celebration.
Some were eagerly awaiting news of family members listed as missing in action. Others had lost loved ones who would never return. While cities like London, Liverpool and Glasgow erupted in street parties, many households quietly marked the day by remembering their lost loved ones.
For those who had seen the horrors either on the frontlines or back home—the end of conflict didn’t bring instant peace of mind, many thought about what would come afterwards and what still needed to happen.
Denis Baron a Medical Student described his experience in London on VE Day (letter held at the IWM)
“In Whitehall the floodlit Houses of Parliament looked absolutely wonderful and inspiring – there were the same quietly cheerful, tired, steadily moving, endless crowds. Back to Trafalgar Square and Nelson and Admiralty Arch were illuminated and the crowds were still there. Then the searchlights came out and formed a vibrating tracery in the sky.”
He concluded: -
“How has everyone taken it? Glad at the end of the bombing and the end of the killing in Europe, resolved to get on with the job in the Far East, expectant of continuing controls and rationing at home, depressed and pessimistic of a happy settlement of the European problems and permanent peace."
The War Wasn’t Over for Everyone
While the 8th May marked victory in Europe, thousands of troops remained deployed overseas, particularly in the Far East. The merciless conflict against Japan was still raging, with no clear end in sight. Service Personnel in Burma, India and the Pacific islands continued to face combat. It would be another 3 months before VJ Day brought a close to the global war.
In light of this many families put their celebrations off, with a family member still out there fighting it felt wrong to celebrate until they were home and the worry had ended.
Operation Exodus: The Long Journey Home for POWs
For tens of thousands of families, another deeply emotional chapter began in the period leading up to and following VE Day when prisoners of war returned home.
Operation Exodus, a vast RAF operation launched in April 1945 and continued into May and beyond. The aim was to bring home Allied POWs from liberated camps. In just over a month, more than 70,000 men were flown back to the UK from across Europe.
These returning servicemen were ill, undernourished, exhausted and often traumatised. Some had been in captivity since the early part of the war. The reunions emotional, it was joyous to have them home but so sad to see what they had endured.
Local newspapers published lists of men who had landed safely back in Britian, men were welcomed with food, identity papers, money and clothing and were interviewed in relation to their capture, camps, treatment etc. Many were taken to RAF hospitals for medical treatment or centres where they could recover both physically and mentally.
One returning airman of 103 Squadron who was shot down in April 1944 and who had spent two years in Stalag Luft III (Oral Interview IBCC), said:
“8th May VE Day, I was given a train pass and arrived home the next morning in South Lancashire. No one was at home, they were all at church celebrating VE Day, when they came back what a surprise, they had heard nothing from me since September of the previous year.”
Conclusion
The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a time to reflect and remember.
It was a day of celebration and happiness for some, but of quiet remembrance for others.
As we commemorate this anniversary, let’s remember not only the joy of liberation but also the sacrifices made and the endurance that continued long after the parties ended.
10 surviving veterans have released a letter to the nation inviting us all to commemorate this anniversary of VE Day on Monday 5th May. You can find out more about this via this link
There are a number of events organised across the nation, why not find out what is taking place near you and get involved.
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