Remebering VJ Day, August 1945
That August in 1945 I was 15 years old and my brother 12. Our parents had taken us to Southend for a week's holiday - the first for six years of course. Although family photo albums show me at the seaside before the war, I can't remember any of them, so seeing the sea and sand was thrilling.
After dinner in our hotel on the 15th August, we went along to some gardens overlooking the pierhead and length of the 'Prom'. There was a sea of people as far as we could see – laughing, dancing, hugging. There was a band playing somewhere and I noticed a whole group of sailors joining in – possibly their ship was moored nearby. I wanted to go and join in the celebrations but my parents refused to let me. I was miffed at the time but later realised it was sensible!
It wasn't till many years later that I realised the full significance of the VE Day and VJ Day celebrations. World events were not brought into our homes as they are today: we listened to news on my Father's very crackly wireless set and I know he had a daily newspaper, but I wasn't allowed to read it.
Shared by Heather Blundell
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