大象传媒

Menna Wyn-Jones was in her early 20s when the end of the war was declared. She was based in Chester working as physiotherapist and had, by luck, arranged to have 8 May off to spend with her boyfriend who was serving in the forces.

She remembers the thrill in the air and tingle of anticipation as they drew into London on the train. That evening huge crowds started to gather and Menna and her boyfriend were carried along by the momentum of the throng towards Buckingham Palace.

Thousands waited outside the palace, eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the royal family. Circles of friends congregated, singing, dancing and laughing.

In front of Menna she noticed a small group of young men and two young girls. The group broke into their circle. The girls were in high spirits, dressed in belted coats and wearing headscarves on their heads. These two young girls turned out to be the two young princesses, Margaret and Elizabeth.

Menna remembers observing that the young men with them looked like police officers in 鈥渕ufty鈥� and wondering, much later, how hard the young princesses must have worked to persuade their parents to let them out into the crowd.

A short time afterwards and following much chanting, the royal family appeared on the balcony to loud cheers and applause; with the Elizabeth now changed and wearing her forces uniform. After many encores the Royal Family eventually went back inside the Palace.

A solitary figure then stepped out onto the balcony to thunderous applause and exuberant cheering 鈥� Sir Winston Churchill was their 鈥榤an of the moment鈥�. Thousands were there to celebrate and greet Churchill and the royal family that day and many thousands more wished they had been.

Menna returned to work the following day, full of stories about the jubilation in London.

Two years later she married the boyfriend who shared that notable day with her.

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