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I can remember all the bonfires, and the tables being put out for street parties. I was two years old at the time and can still remember it. Just masses of people, the rejoicing and the happiness…..it was absolutely wonderful. I can remember all the happiness of everyone around.

My brothers weren’t born then, and my dad was still working on the railway and we were just waiting for him to come home, so we sat outside the house, and just the street was full up with people and tables and chairs for everyone to sit down………..there were lots and it went on for hours and I think I fell asleep. I was only two and toddling around.

The only thing I do remember (before VE day) was the big bang in Hastings that shook us up, and the whole house dropped on us because we had a V-1 bomb drop that went through the house and went next door, and we were actually buried in the basement for six hours and I still remember the bang. I was 6 months old. I don’t remember it, I just remember the bang, and I think the fear came from my parents, because my mum was down there with me……dad was out.

This is the first VE day celebration. I went down to the D-Day celebration in Portsmouth………the 50th anniversary. I did spend about 4 years in the Royal Navy myself, so I did go down to see that. That was a very special memory. I did come here today because I was two years old on VE day and thought I should come up to London and see it all happen.

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