VE Day in Charlbury 1945
After nearly six years of war, the surrender of the German armed forces to the Allies on 7th May 1945 came as a huge relief. In Britain the next day was declared a national holiday. We can get a good idea of how Charlbury marked VE Day from a detailed account published in The Leaflet. At 11.30 a spontaneous service was held in St Mary’s and the church bells were rung when the Prime Minister announced the official end of the war in Europe at 3pm that afternoon. The army put on a free dance in Victory Hall in Church Street.
The next day sports were held for children and adults organised by the Red Triangle club, with prizes donated by the town’s tradespeople. ENSA put on a concert in Church Street at 8pm and dancing continued until the early hours of the morning. Many children didn't make it to school the next day! A school service took place in St Mary’s on the Friday for children and parents.
Sunday 13th May was declared National Thanksgiving Day, marked by a service in St Mary’s at 3pm. The Leaflet records "…there were present: ROAC, ATS, Home Guard, Air Training Corps, Civil Defence, Red Cross, St John Ambulance Brigade, National Fire Service, Women’s Voluntary Service, Girl Guides and Brownies. The church was packed to the door. The collection of £12 12s was given to the Welcome Home fund.” That evening there was community singing in Church Street.
However mixed with the celebrations was grief of the loss of life. Eight Charlbury men were killed in the fighting, with others wounded or changed by their experiences. Research by Diana and Peter Bennett has discovered at least 115 Charlbury men and women who served in the forces, and many others served in organisations like the Red Cross and the Home Guard.
We have more information in the museum should you wish to visit and explore more of the history of the war years in the town. We are open on Saturday mornings 10.30-12.30, Sunday afternoons 2.30-4.30, and on Bank Holiday Monday afternoons.
Roll of Honour World War II
John Bowen: Royal Engineers d.1940
Ronald Collins: Royal Air Force d.1943
Kenneth Cooper: Royal Army Ordnance Corps d.1941
Trevor Kilby: Oxon & Bucks Light Infantry d.1943
Henry Maling: Royal Artillery d.1940
William Parsons: Oxon & Bucks Light Infantry d.1944
Alfred Sandalls: Royal Navy d.1944
Peter Ryding: Welch Regiment d.1944
