VE & VJ Day 2025

Being very keen on all things military we've recently been asking around for what events will be taking place locally to mark VE Day 80. What has surprised us is the total lack of anything, the lack of interest, ultimately the lack of knowledge of what it actually is.

My in-laws, who are in their 70's asked at the weekend what was the difference between VE Day and D Day???

Is it simply down to people not knowing their History?

 

I have heard of a few events in early May across the UK - both nationally and locally. And there has been "plenty" of ongoing 80th anniversary commemorations in the UK and overseas (yesterday/today was/is the 80th of Op Varsity).

For myself, I like to mark such things "locally" and also to be able to underpin the headline events with names/faces. I'll be certainly marking my father's arrival at the River Po on 25 April 1945 & then the formal end of the war in Italy on 2 May 1945... I'll be in Italy for both those dates...and then it's home to Whitehall to mark the end of my Mum's night shift at the War Office in Whitehall on the morning of 8 May 1945.

A glass will be raised to everyone who helped to bring Peace to Europe.

best wishes

 

If you Google there are hundreds of events planned for 2025

 

Yes, agreed there are lots of events but in our locality it's all very low key at the moment...

As an MV group we approached one of the local Town councils to see if we could do something, just a drive through or park up but we were promptly told there were no plans by the Town council to partake in any VE day related events...

Our village have paid to have signs put up on the lamp posts and will ring the church bells but have said that is all they have planned. They have said its up to individual households to organise their own celebrations...

 

For example, and if you're in the London area, the London Scottish are hosting a few events during w/c 5th May 2025 - I'll be speaking at the one on the 10th (but don't let that be a reason not to attend as it's free).
Scots in London to mark VE Day 80

Event Programme:
Tuesday 6th May 2025, 6:30pm
Evening Panel Discussion – VE Day: Then and Now
London Scottish House, SW10 2DX

Thursday 8th May 2025, 6:00pm
London Scottish Regimental Association Evening Reception
London Scottish House

Saturday 10th May 2025, 9:00am– 5:00pm
The Peace in Europe Conference
London Scottish House

Sunday 11th May 2025
11:00am VE Day 80th Anniversary Service
1:30pm ‘The Parachute Padre and the SAS’ with Damien Lewis and David Robb
St Columba’s Church, SW1X 0BD

 

Worcester prepares to commemorate VE Day - Worcester City Council

Attached link
Have your say on new Worcestershire Soldier Gallery - Worcester City Council

No mention of the 67th Field Regiment (Worcestershire Gunners)
Have they been forgotten?

 

With VE Day 80 not being a British Bank Holiday (or school holiday) I haven't seen much about street/village green parties, such as what took place for the real VE Day in 1945.

 

For the real VE Day, crowds thronged the streets of London, singing and dancing in the streets (see newspaper photograph).
Those who had lost loved ones or with family members still away for the war against Japan, it may celebrated with a tinge of sadness.
Days we should remember 80 years later.

 

And if you're in N.I.:

Enniskillen’s VE Day 80 is a Community Celebration for All.
On 8 May 2025, we will commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, marking an extraordinary milestone since the end of the Second World War in Europe. A special programme of events is planned in Enniskillen, highlighting the significance of the anniversary and bringing communities together in gratitude and remembrance. People of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds can reflect on this pivotal moment in history and celebrate the peace and freedoms that were secured in 1945.

Thursday 8th May
9.00am – VE Day 80 Proclamation
Gary Wilson will join Town Criers and Toastmasters throughout the County to read the VE Day 80 Proclamation at The Watergate, outside Enniskillen Castle, marking the official start of the day’s commemorations.

6.30pm – St Macartin’s Cathedral Bells
As part of the nationwide celebrations, the bells of St Macartin’s Cathedral will ring at 6.30pm, in a symbolic act of remembrance and unity.

7.30pm – VE Day 80 Commemorative Service, Pipers Tribute & National Beacon Lighting
The Inniskillings Museum and four churches on the island of Enniskillen will come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special Service of Peace. Enniskillen’s Service of Peace will reflect our shared journey towards
reconciliation and hope for future generations.
The Service of Peace will take place across two churches, commencing at 7.30pm in St Macartin’s Cathedral. The congregation will move across to St Michael’s Church to continue the service at approximately 7.50pm.

80 Pipers on Parade.
A spectacular parade of 80 pipers and drummers from local areas, co-ordinated by Cecil Jones, will form a community-massed band to support the event. The band will parade through the town, arriving at Church Street by 8.45pm. An invitation is open to all pipers and drummers who wish to participate in the parade.
In essence, this echoes the service that was held in November 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, which included the presentation of lanterns of peace to Enniskillen’s churches and a memorable tribute by 100 local pipers and drummers. A significant element of the commemorative service will feature the return of the lanterns of peace. These lanterns, in line with the official VE Day 80 promotion of “Lamping Lights of Peace”, will light the way from St Michael’s Church back to St Macartin’s Cathedral for the lighting of the ceremonial beacon by Viscount Brookeborough, Lord Lieutenant for County Fermanagh, at 9pm. The beacon will serve as a symbol of hope, representing the light that emerged from the darkness of war.
Enniskillen’s Service of Peace is open to all, and we welcome our community members and visitors to join us in marking this historic occasion.
9.30pm – Illumination of Council Buildings
Enniskillen Castle and the Strule Arts Centre will be illuminated blue, a symbolic colour of peace and unity, by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council. This action serves as a mark of respect for the sacrifices made during the Second World War, as well as our community’s ongoing commitment to peace.

Saturday 10th May
10.00am to 5.00pm – Second World War Exhibitions
Lisbellaw & South Fermanagh World Wars Society will host a display of artefacts and uniforms in St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall with a particular focus on our local district. This will complement a World War Two exhibition in Enniskillen Library during the month of May (Free Admission).
3.00pm – ‘Beating Retreat’
The Band, Bugles, Pipes & Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment will perform a ‘Beating Retreat’ at the Cathedral Hall Car Park. It will include a special performance by The Erne Highland Dancers. This event is free, with an invitation extended to everyone and no tickets or pre-booking is required.
7.00pm – VE Day 80 Commemorative Concert
The Band, Bugles, Pipes & Drums of The Royal Irish Regiment will perform a special concert in St Macartin’s Cathedral hosted by The Royal Air Forces Association (Fermanagh Branch). It will be compered by Gary Wilson with guest soloists Lauren Kells and Clara Wilson. The Erne Highland Dancers will perform a special tribute. This event is free, with an invitation extended to everyone and no tickets or pre-booking is required.

Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th May ‘Lights of Hope’
9.00pm to Midnight
Two beams of light will once again project over Enniskillen’s night sky, similar to how VE Day and the end of World War Two in Europe, was celebrated in 1945. The ‘Lights of Hope’ will remind us to value peace for future generations.
Monday 5th– Saturday 10th May – Visit the Inniskillings Museum’s Galleries
Visit the Inniskillings Museum to discover personal stories and artefacts from the Second World War.
Galleries open 10am-5pm. Normal admission rates apply.
www.inniskillingsmuseum.com

 

Lots of things taking place in Northern Ireland.
I post details on The Second World War in Northern Ireland when I receive information.
Andy.

 

I just did an internet search on "Victory in Europe Day 2025 US celebrations" and didn't see a single event scheduled.

 

Lincoln Cathedral have a couple of events planned for the day:

VE80 tea dance and dinner dance | Lincoln Cathedral

As does the International Bomber Command Centre (the Blighty Belles have a busy day)

VE DAY 80 Free Concert - International Bomber Command Centre

IBCC VE Day 80 Beacon Lighting, Music and Dinner - Visit Lincolnshire

A number of the local villages' are holding events in their own village halls, but they're not well advertised at the moment, hopefully things will pick up

 

We're noticing more events being posted locally. I think our plan may just be to take one of our trucks up through the village and park by our war memorial or the church for when they peel the bells in the early evening.

 

Injured 11th May 1941 died on VE Day

CIVILIAN JOHN HENRY POORE
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Civilian War Dead

Date of Death
Died 08 May 1945

Age 60 years old

Buried or commemorated at
PADDINGTON, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH
Civilian War Dead

• Country of Service United Kingdom
• Additional Info London Auxiliary Ambulance Service. Husband of J. A. Poore, of 25 Lanark Road, Maida Vale. Injured 11 May 1941, at St. Marylebone; died at 25 Lanark Road.

 

We had a message this weekend from our local Parish council regarding planning events for VE Day. We met up with them on Bank Holiday Monday and they have asked us to bring along displays for the Village Hall and asked if we can supply a couple of our wartime vehicles to display outside. They are going to do a lunch for all those in the Parish who were alive in May 1945.

 

How to watch the VE Day procession and flypast (5 May 2025)

 

My 13 year old Son and I spent Saturday afternoon putting up signs and plaques around the village for VE Day on behalf of the Parish Council.

 

Here some details of something that's happening in Cornwall.

 

Ripon in North Yorkshire has bunting up everywhere.
The Ripon Knitters have done themselves proud for VE 80 Day .