VE Day in the Horsham area in 1945 was celebrated with great gusto

As the armies of liberation progressed through occupied Europe en route to Berlin, at home coastal defences were gradually removed, tenders being invited for the demolition of the dragons teeth and pill boxes which had been so feverishly constructed in 1940.

At Bognor and Worthing, barbed wire was cleared away from the promenade, giving some small children their first glimpse of an unobstructed seafront, though the beaches still had to be cleared of mines.

The formal German surrender was taken by General Montgomery at his Luneburg Heath HQ, near Hamburg, on May 4, 1945. In Britain, Tuesday, May 8, was declared a public holiday, VE (Victory in Europe) Day.

The excitement really began the evening before. As the news broke of the end of the war in Europe the hawkers were out on street corners with flags and bunting and everywhere streamers and ‘God save the King’ banners suddenly appeared.

Every shop put out its decorations and public houses began to prepare themselves for the influx of merrymakers. People had been waiting so long for the moment and onto the streets they spilled, cheering and singing, slapping each other on the back, ready to drink the health of Mr. Churchill. Roll Out the Barrel and We Won’t Go Home Till Morning were popular songs. The threat to freedom had vanished and everywhere there was an impatience to find expression for the mood of gratitude and relief.

In Horsham, the day dawned with dull skies but spirits were not to be dampened and the weather improved. Many people were up early, putting the finishing touches to their decorations and busying themselves with arrangements for the afternoon parties. There was much activity at the food shops as rationing and restricted opening were forgotten, for one day at least. Bells rang out from Horsham Parish Church and services of celebration and reflection were held there and in all Nonconformist churches, including one for peace at the Christian Science Society.

As the morning progressed, all towns became awash with masses of people singing and cheering. In the town centre crowds gathered, with servicemen and civilians alike laughing and dancing together. Others perched perilously on Army trucks as they drove around the street to ensure no-one missed the news or the party atmosphere. After Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s broadcast at 3pm and again following the King’s speech at 9pm the partying began in earnest.

The celebrations took many forms, but one of the most popular was street parties. “Bring your own cup and plate,” they were told, as rationing was forgotten for the day.

Park Terrace East in Horsham had a strong community spirit and saw one of the first organised. Children tucked in to a feast of food not seen for years such as cakes, ice-cream, biscuits and oranges. Such was the unaccustomed fare on offer that one little boy in Horsham, surveying his lemonade, cake and ice cream, was heard to ask: “Is peace like this every day?”

Then in the evening, Gordon and His Band arrived to play for dancing and singing and householders took leads off their household current to illuminate the street. Returned prisoners-of-war joined in and a collection raised £11 2s 6d for the Red Cross. Other Horsham streets held similar events, including Albion Terrace, Bethune Road, Chesworth Crescent and Oakhill Road among many others.

The County Times reported that in Horsham ‘by 10 o’clock there was a milling mass in the Carfax and Market Square’. Lines of girls wearing rosettes appeared arm-in-arm with servicemen and dancing circles formed. Cars drove gingerly through the throng, only to emerge with people clinging to the bonnet, running boards and roof.

In the absence of official organisation, an accordionist played popular songs, which were sung with gusto. Later, the Astoria Dance Band appeared in front of the floodlit war memorial and played until 1am, when drizzle persuaded most it was time to leave.

An open-air Service of Thanksgiving, held in Horsham Park on Wednesday, the day after VE Day, attracted more than 1,000 people.

Huge bonfires, many with Hitler effigies, could be seen from the Market Square. Broadbridge Green had one, as did Colgate, Knepp Castle and Roffey in the field next to the Star Inn.

Of course, there were tears as well as happiness. Those who had given their lives and those still fighting the Japanese were remembered.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.