Memories of VE Day in Kirklees

It came on the afternoon of Tuesday May 8th 1945 when the Prime Minister Winston Churchill made his much awaited broadcast to the nation.

The rejoicing was immediate and soon large crowds were gathering in market places throughout the Heavy Woollen District.

Thornhill Lees resident Norma Swords, remembers clearly the day when the war in Europe was finally over and the great celebrations which followed.

“We had a street party and a large bonfire, and the women even went chumping with us.

“I’ll never forget Mrs Smith, a small dumpy lady who helped us roll a large tree stump we had found. She huffed and puffed and her face was as red as a beetroot.”

The outbreak of war in 1939 changed life for everyone, but it had a very sudden and immediate effect on Lewis and Annie Brook, of Bright Street, Mirfield – it cut short their honeymoon.

The couple were married at Heckmondwike Moravian Church the day before war was declared, and after the wedding set off for their honeymoon in Scarborough.

They knew war was in the air but had no idea it would break out the day after their wedding. They spent their first night of married life in a boarding house and looked forward to a happy week in the East Coast resort.

The announcement over the radio the following day put paid to their plans, especially when their landlady got in a terrible state.

She thought her son was likely to be called up and said the young couple had better go home.

Mr Brook was later to join the RAF and found himself in the newly formed RAF regiment, and saw service all over Europe. He was one of the fortunate servicemen to return home to enjoy a long and happy married life with his wife Annie.