´óÏó´«Ã½

Living in Maidstone during the war, I remember VE day very well.

There were street parties everywhere, almost every road in Maidstone had a party on it. I remember on my street there was a huge bonfire with an effigy of Hitler hanging above it. An old man from the street who’d had a few drinks tied a knife to a broom handle, and started to stab the dummy with it like a bayonet. It swung away from him and he toppled, falling straight onto the bonfire! Everyone quickly rushed in and pulled him off, and he just brushed himself down and grumbled that he was OK. I also remember going into Maidstone town centre that night and was amazed because all the lights were on! It seemed almost everyone in Maidstone was there, and we were all surprised because the lights hadn’t been on in six years! All the street lamps and lights were on, neon signs and shop windows, it was so bright compared to the blackout we were used to. There was also a big fireworks display in Mote Park to celebrate. Everywhere you went there were just so many people, dancing in the streets, talking, cheering, waving flags and just making a big fuss. We were all so relieved! In the days following there were more organised and official events, like parades through the town centre. All the regiments were coming back, sailors from Chatham, pilots from West Malling and soldiers from Maidstone, all gathering together in the county town. It was just days and days of parades and parties, but I’ll never forget that first day and night of unofficial, impromptu celebrations!

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by James Barton from Westree Learning Centre and has been added to the website on behalf of Raymond Allan Wright with his/her permission and they fully understand the site’s terms and conditions.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.