大象传媒

I was stationed at H.M.S. Gosling at Glazebury, a complex of three Naval training camps halfway between St.Helens and Manchester when the announcement was made that the war with Japan was over. I had completed, with my mates, a course as an Air Mechanic at Hednesford on Cannock Chase and was now waiting to be drafted to a carrier or land station. All liberty watch and those on standby were told that we could leave the camp. Not unnaturally most of us made for Manchester, we liked Manchester it had the best Services Club we'd come across,where, if anything was charged at all,it was the very minimum.

After making the use of the facilities of the Services Club, ironing our 'tiddly' suits, getting haircuts etc., we made our way to Piccadilly where we discovered a vast crowd celebrating. We joined in, a public address system was broadcasting the popular tunes of the day and people were singing and dancing. I had never been in such a crush and made my way with my friends, with great difficulty, to a pub where we found that we weren't allowed to buy a drink - someone else always paid! Leaving the pub we were embraced by countless women and one old lady grabbed me and kissed me saying, "God Bless all you lovely boys!" I felt a complete fraud as I hadn't seen active serice but did appreciate that she said it to thank all the men who had served their country during the war.

To tell you the truth my memory now is somewhat hazy, probably due to drink at the time and the passage of the years since! But I do remember being in St.Peter's Square where George Formby was entertaining the crowds in his inimitable style.He wasn't the only one and I have a feeling that Gracie Fields was also doing the same as were many more. It was a wonderful night and I have no idea how I got back to camp. I do remember though the warmth of the people of Manchester then and on other occasions and have always had fond memories of my times there.

At seventeen years old it was quite an experience and I felt humble, and proud to be part of the hundreds of thousands of allied servicemen who had brought about the defeat of Germany and Japan.

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