大象传媒

I was six when war broke out and twelve on VE Day; thus I had lived half my life under war conditions. My home was in Bromley, apart from twelve months or so in 1939-40 when we stayed with an aunt at Otford, near Sevenoaks.In 1941 I became a pupil in Lower One at Eltham College Junior School.

It was VE Day. The joy of the nation that the war in Europe was over. No more bombs, disturbed nights, worries about loved ones away in the forces, the lights would be switched on again. It was over. I went to see a bonfire party close to my home; everyone was so happy. I had never seen a real bonfire before, or if I had, I could not remember. Perhaps there were fireworks; I don't think so, but we had seen enough of fireworks from the ack-ack and bombs. We had heard enough bangs over the last six years. I am sure the adults sang.

But although I was excited I was not really impressed. What did impress me, perhaps it was that night, maybe it was later, was how wonderful it was to see the street lights on again, and houses with their curtains open allowing the light to stream out onto the gardens.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld of 大象传媒 Radio Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of Edward Le Besque with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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