- Contributed by听
- 大象传媒 Open Centre, Hull
- People in story:听
- Originally submitted to the Beverley Civic Society.
- Location of story:听
- County Durham
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A4179873
- Contributed on:听
- 11 June 2005
I was serving in Home Forces as a Training Officer at Brancepath Castle, County Durham, having been posted there after recovering from war wounds received in October 1944 whilst in Holland with the 9th D.L.I.
My overriding impression of the day was that it was low key. The atmosphere was of quiet reflection, of slow realisation and relief that at least hostilities in one theatre of war (i.e. Europe) were over.
My diary entry for the day, which I paraphrase, reads:
'ALL Germans surrendered unconditionally. A Church of England Service of thanksgiving for all ranks was held in the camp gymnasium. I heard Winston Churchill's broadcast on radio, the briefing of King George VI by senior officers of the Armed Forces and the King's address to his people. There was no formal training programme and some leave passes were granted. Junior officers whiled away their time by playing snooker and table tennis in the Mess.'
Needless to say CELEBRATIONS followed some days afterwards!
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