Memories of World War 2 and VE Day 1945

For the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I, along with a wonderful team of young people, have been interviewing people who were children during the Second World War to capture their memories of living through the war and the celebrations of VE Day. You can either listen to the interviews or read the transcripts. Thank you to all those who were involved.

Derek Price moved to Box in 1936 when his father took over the running of the rubber factory. He was 9 when the war broke out and has clear memories of the bonfires celebrating the end of the war.

Ewen Wannop grew up in Aberdeen and remembers planes flying over the city, rationing and a visit from Churchill!

After an unexploded bomb landed next to her pram, Jane Cox and her family moved to Dorchester where Jane recalls being spun around by a policeman when the end of the war was announced.

100 year old Mary Barrett had just left school when war broke out and clearly remembers the impact of bombing on London and her daily commute.

Derek Final

00:00 / 05:21

Ewan VE day interview - 28_04_2025, 14.51

00:00 / 15:49

Jane Final

00:00 / 08:26

00:00 / 16:10

Grandma interview editArtist Name

00:00 / 11:41

Peggy final

00:00 / 06:57

Maureen Cluett was evacuated to Hinton St Mary, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset and vividly remembers the announcement of the end of war and what it meant to her fellow evacuees.

Peggy Butt was only 3 years old when she was evacuated from London to Box, and she has been here every since!

After their house was destroyed in the Bristol bombing, Robin Parry and his family moved to near Frome where he clearly remembers eating his first banana after the war ended!

Steve Wheeler, living in North London during the war, remembers almost winning the running race at the VE Day celebrations and the impact of the war on the country after it ended.

Robin Final

00:00 / 07:54

Steve Final

00:00 / 19:34