A Warminster man has recalled his personal memories of VE Day as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of the historic occasion.
On 8th May 1945, Germany officially surrendered to the Allies, effectively ending fighting in Europe. Celebrations erupted worldwide, acknowledging the long-awaited peace after years of conflict during the Second World War.
Evan Jones, who has lived in Warminster for 22 years, was five years old on VE Day. Born on 12th April 1940 in Meurig House, Doldre in Tregaron, Wales, to parents Gladys and Tom Henry Jones, he lived next door to his Aunty Hannah and Uncle Miah.
Evan recalls, “Naturally, my memories of the war are very vague, although I recall many American troops arriving in convoy and ‘bivouacking’ in the cattle ‘mart’ grounds. I also remember a British aircraft force-landing in a field at the edge of town.
“However, I clearly recall the morning of 9th May 1945 as if it were yesterday. I was having my breakfast when my uncle, from next door, came in and said, ‘Come on Evan, we are going up to the church.’
“This happened every Sunday as he was the caretaker and bell-ringer and I always went with him – but as this was a weekday, I wondered why we were going. However, I followed.
“Halfway to church, the local blacksmith, ‘Dan Go’, was leaning on the window ledge outside his house enjoying a cup of tea and his pipe. He was also mystified as to why we were on our way to church.
“On arrival, instead of me getting ready to hand out hymn and prayer books and my uncle starting to ring the bell, we climbed the stone steps to the top of the tower – entry to which I was always forbidden.
“When we arrived at the top, he unfurled a flag, which he attached to the flagpole, and told me to hold the rope and pull it with him. When the flag reached the top and was fixed, he turned to me and said that in future I would be able to say that I had raised the flag on the church to celebrate the end of the World War.”
“On looking back, I can now see the significance of this. Naturally, all conversation was in Welsh. In the evening, the family – including my sister Eleanor – were going to the celebrations in the square, but because of the loud fireworks I refused to continue and ‘Mam’ had to take me home.
“These are the first events in my life that I can put an actual date to.”
Pictured: Evan Jones with his family in 1945
