For me, a day of personal reflection and attendance at the funeral of a friend/comrade of my father's, who served with him from 1939 to 1946, 3 years of which were outside England.. There are two fires around my neck of the woods: Slough - http://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/News/All-Areas/Slough/Slough-to-join-in-with-VE-Day-celebrations-06052015.htm Windsor - http://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/News/Areas/Windsor/Queen-to-light-first-VE-Day-beacon-on-Long-Walk-in-Windsor-06052015.htm
I didn't know about the beacons either. I, too, have just looked at the link - apparently Leeds is invited to light a beacon. Haven't heard of any details though.
Leeds - http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Events/Pages/70th-anniversary-of-ve-day.aspx A chain of beacons will also be lit across the United Kingdom on the night, and the Lord Mayor will be lighting the city’s own beacon at 9.32pm on Millennium Square. As part of the Beacon lighting ceremony, a World War II veteran will be reading out a tribute and a bugler will play a fanfare to announce the start of the lighting of the ceremony.
In Lowestoft a Brass Band will be playing music from the movies and music from the 40's in the evening as part of the celebration. From what I can make out it should be quite a celebration.
There's a ceremony at the village war memorial tomorrw which we'll attend, followed by a "cup that cheers". I have a copy of the South Wales Echo of May 7 1945, headlines: Doenitz Orders Unconditional Surrender of All Forces "We have succumbed after 6 years." Severe terms: "we had to accept them." etc. German forces in Norway were the last to capitulate - Uboats cease activity.
When I agreed to a BBC TV interview to mark the 70th Anniversary of VE day my wife was still in hospital. After the interview I was asked if I would like to attend the Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey on Sunday the 9th of May but as the boss was now home I felt unable to accept the BBC's offer. I will be watching it on TV however particularly as it follows immediately after my own offering at 10.25 am There should be some good viewing from the 7th to the 10th so set your TV to do some recording. Ron
Lots happening here - Beacons lit around the place. VE Day Street Parts at NI War Memorial Building earlier. I am off to Belfast City Hall for the Beacon there tomorrow evening. Enniskillen is having their beacon on a small Island in the town. Should be good!!
I have everything set to record on the tv. There isn't much happening here so I shall enjoy watching it. I am having a little tea party for my daughters (4 & 6) tomorrow. They are excited - 6yr old because she is fascinated by ww2, 4yr old because there will be jam!
Tomorrow (Friday 8th may) at 2.30pm on BBC 1 VE Day 70 a service of remembrance at The Cenotaph http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05tr30x
I will have a special VE Day celebration for one person tomorrow, by laying a poppy cross to the Dutch soldiers commemorated at the Jaffa Cemetery in Delft. VE Day coincided with the day Delft was liberated by the Canadians. A photo exists of the 48 Highlanders doing the same thing 70 years ago.
Just finished watching the service at the Cenotaph. It was so low key that I felt that if I had left the room for a minute I would have missed it. Lest we forget ! Ron
A couple of scans of the 8th May 1945 Eighth Army News. Just got back from the funeral of Sgt James O'Brien, who served with 2 LIR from 1940 to 1946 - he was in Udine with my Dad on VE Day best
Lancaster bomber mid-air engine fire whilst preparing for VE Day 70 celebrations on Saturday http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32628263
While I remember ! Tuesday 8th. May 1945 Filling up with petrol while Hewie has day in Venice. Packed most of the tanks. Dinner was just for Bill & I. Boys came back from leave 'dry'. Wednesday 9th. May 1945 All packed ready for move to Austria of all places but cancelled when S.S. Division packed in. Parcel from home with Kummel Ron
A few pictures from last night in Belfast. *****Take a look ***** That is Able Seaman Henry Murphy C / JX 363276 holding a letter which was sent to his mother telling her he had been Killed in Action!!