- Contributed by听
- CSV Solent
- People in story:听
- John Jolly
- Location of story:听
- Bremerhaven Docks
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A5336237
- Contributed on:听
- 26 August 2005
Cover of the Thanksgiving Service on conclusion of the campaign in North West Europe.
This story has been added to the People's War website by Marie on behalf of John with his permission. John fully understands the sites terms and conditions.
I was serving with the 1st Battalian Kings Own Scottish Borders, 9th Brigade, 3rd British Infantry Division when the war drew to a close.
VE Day was one of the least memorable days of my 4 years in the Army - on that day we were in the somewhat battered area of Bremerhaven Docks.
I don't remember any formal announcements of hostilities ceasing and we were cautious in case the Germans hadn't been told but since crossing the Rhine it had been obvious that the end was near and it was very much taken for granted.
There were no celebrations - nothing to celebrate with and no place to go - in fact we stayed on a war footing for some days.
A few days later we heard of the party in front of Buckingham Palace and cynics amongst us thought it strange that those furtherest from the war were having the best time!
Attached are images from the Thanksgiving Service, with all the Divisional Badges.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo