London VE Day Photos from 8th May 1945

Today is VE Day and I wasn’t going to post anything in particular but a quick search came across countless incredible photos and so I thought, why not!

VE Day is a public holiday in several European countries such as France though incredibly not in the UK as though the 8th May 1945 saw the end of war in Europe, the fighting continued in the Pacific and the war wasn’t going to be over until it was over.

Happy VE Day everyone!  Enjoy your freedom and remember those whose lives made it possible.

PM Sir Winston Churchill giving one of his many V gestures to the assembled crowds.
PM Sir Winston Churchill giving one of his many V gestures to the assembled crowds.
Dcq3uv_XcAUbhh3.jpg-large
A Street Part in Albert Street, East London
Dcq6T-rU8AEABU6.jpg-large
Too young ladies celebrating amongst their ruined home
DcqdN6fXkAE-i08.jpg-large
Most men were overseas but there were plenty of women in uniform ready to celebrate
DcqhqIzWkAArJnj.jpg-large
London goes into party mode 1945 style
DcqJpoNX0AAuOAY.jpg-large
The King, Queen and Prime Minister on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
DcqQooyXkAABO0G.jpg-large
Up to no good?
DcqS_PyWsAAp_cV.jpg-large
One of the famous photos of Churchill celebrating along with his youngest daughter
DcqUwhNX4AEBN2F.jpg-large
Lest We Forget

DcqWamqXcAAWmEc

DcqWamvX4AA_Bxz
A rare colour photo of a London VE day street party
DcqYFQyXUAAiXpq
Before the days of Health and Safety
DcqZZieWAAA_63j.jpg-large
I’ve seen crowds at Picadilly but nothing like this!
Dcoi0IYWAAAkySt.jpg-large
Congregating at Whitehall, near The Cenotaph

By Stephen Liddell

I am a writer and traveller with a penchant for history and getting off the beaten track. With several books to my name including several #1 sellers. I also write environmental, travel and history articles for magazines as well as freelance work. I run my private tours company with one tour stated by the leading travel website as being with the #1 authentic London Experience. Recently I've appeared on BBC Radio and Bloomberg TV and am waiting on the filming of a ghost story on British TV. I run my own private UK tours company (Ye Olde England Tours) with small, private and totally customisable guided tours run by myself!

4 comments

  1. Interesting…I was just wondering a couple of things looking at those photos…are they celebrating because war is over or because they “won” do you think? Also, do you think street parties would still be so well attended some 70 years on if history were to repeat? I’m not sure the same sense of community still exists any more.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think they are mostly celebrating because the war is over. I’m sure it was much better to win than not but after all the hardships and deaths I would just be relieved it was over. I feel sorry for those children as they would spend most of their lives in a country recovering from war. I’m not sure either, when William and Kate got married we invited 6 houses (12 people) round and no-one came.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorry but I just laughed at the last sentence there…perhaps because I think that almost typifies what I’d expect. It’s quite sad. I used to live on a new housing estate in the UK and the only people I would say who engendered a spirit of community were those in the affordable housing…what does that tell you?

        Like

Leave a comment