A Warminster woman has rediscovered a fascinating photo showing VE Day celebrations in the town.
Shirley March was recently sorting through old belongings when she came across a picture from 1945.
It shows her and family members on Upper Marsh Road celebrating VE Day, dressed in special costumes.
Shirley is dressed as Uncle Sam, complete with a stick-on moustache and beard, while others are dressed as various countries involved in the war.
She said, “I was about nine at the time; I do remember the day. My mum would have been behind the costumes — she was awful for getting us dressed up at carnivals and things.
“I’m dressed as Uncle Sam, while my sister on the left, Jean, was Britannia and my sister Molly was Peace. Our cousin John is Russia.
“I know the young boy dressed as China was our neighbour Alan Hosey, but I can’t remember the name of his younger brother in the picture.
“The boy and girl dressed as sailors were evacuees called Teddy and Beryl Bridgemont; I haven’t seen them since about 1997.”
Shirley lived with her mum, Vera Byfield, and father, William Byfield, at a bungalow near Christ Church in Warminster. The family were ‘crammed into’ the little home during the war and rationed well into the 1950s as the town recovered from the Second World War.
Now 89 and married to Cedric, she hopes to reconnect with Alan, his brother, Teddy and Beryl if they happen to read this article. She plans to take the photo to Warminster Museum in case it can be used in any future war exhibits.
Shirley added, “It would be nice to get in touch with the people in the photo again. It’s been very special to look at it and bring back those memories.
“At the time the picture was taken, I was only nine. I think I was too young to fully understand the impact of the war; I didn’t know anything different at the time.
“I also can’t remember who took the photo — it might have been the Warminster Journal.”
If you know Teddy, Beryl, Alan or his younger brother, please get in touch with the Warminster Journal and we can pass on your details.
