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Stanley Addison, 87, from Ockbrook in Derby, was celebrated VE Day in London aged 17.

He lived in Surrey and says he would have been evacuated if he had lived closer to the capital.

He was walking through London when he heard on the radio that the war in Europe was over. Stanley has described people stopping in the street, wanting to hear the news again, as they could not believe what they were hearing.

Stanley went home, did his hair, put on his best suit and headed into London to join the celebrations. He tried to get to Buckingham Palace but it was too busy. The only place he could get to was Trafalgar Square and he says it is the biggest party he has ever been to.

Stanley was amazed at the sheer number of people who had gathered there. He says there was singing and dancing and has described people climbing on the lions and up lampposts.

He says the party went on until the early hours and it was tremendous; everyone was really joyous and really happy.

He was called up to national service after VE Day in early 1946.

Image: Stanley Addison

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