Commemorative

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

For The Allies With Joy and Thankfulness Torridge-side Celebrates Two More Memorable Days

In a dramatic midnight broadcast on Tuesday, the Prime Minister (Mr Clement Atlee) announced ‘Japan has today surrendered. The last of our enemies is laid low’. He then detailed the text of the Japanese reply to the Allied demands.

Thus was a total of six years’ war by this country and her Allies against the forces of aggression brought to a victorious conclusion.

Throughout the weekend international events had been moving to this climax. There had been many rumours but it seems that this country was among the least infected in this way and, while making preparations for victory, waited patiently for official announcement before embarking on any celebrations. Certainly was this so in Torridge-side.

It became obvious on Tuesday that an official announcement of Japan’s surrender was very near and many remained to listen to the last broadcast news bulletins of the day. Those who did not do so were soon made aware that something had happened for fireworks and a general bustle in the street – neighbours calling the good news to each other across the street, sometimes from bedroom windows – commenced despite the hour and the intermittent rain.

On Tuesday and on the following day there had been queues for fireworks and these formed the noisiest part of the celebrations. A ship’s siren did a Victory V celebration toot several times and the lights, as the dramatic journalists put it when reporting international events, were burning late that nights. Some of the more high spirited on Tuesday night apparently lit small bonfires in the street to help with their fireworks.

The VJ holiday fireworks were somewhat of a mixed blessing, for some of the thoughtless threw lighted ‘bangers’ indiscriminately among the crowd.

As far as Bideford was concerned it seemed that on the whole there was a less boisterous spirit there was a less boisterous spirit and spontaneous jollification than on VE. There were hundreds of people wandering about up to late hours but the majority of them were taking things very quietly, apparently waiting for something to happen. Except for those in their teens or not far beyond them, there was not a great deal of little dancing and community singing.

In a VJ message the Mayor of Bideford (Ald H W Fulford) said: ‘Today we look forward to a long era of peace and progress which we feel sure will come under wise leadership of the Government and with the cooperation of the United Nations.

But while we rejoice we know than in many hearts there must be a s sense of sorrow mingled with relief, feelings with which we fully sympathize’.

Up on Chudleigh Fort, looking down on the town, was the War Memorial Cross which has not become a symbol of the town’s proud remembrance of those from its homes who made the supreme sacrifice in both the 1911-18 and the 1939-45 wars. It stood, as did those other memorials in towns, villages and hamlets throughout the country, as a solemn reminder, and in the midst of the rejoicing many hearts were sad and many a silent prayer offered. The cross has been floodlit.

Rain came in the night but Wednesday morning proved to be a most pleasant sample of summer and there were crowds out and about early, mainly to do some hurried shopping.

Peals rang out from the parish church bells at Bideford and in other places at intervals during the two days. There was music and laughter in the air and an infectious, but reasonable, excitement. Flags and bunting, augmenting the splendid official display, went up in great profusion everywhere. In some places the display was even greater than for VE. Ships in the Harbour were ‘dressed’ with flags for the occasion.

There was a shortage of the particular liquid refreshments in which many people like to drink toasts. Many of the public houses had been closed with ‘Sold out’ notices on the doors even before the VJ proclamation.

Loudspeaker vans went around the towns and posters proclaimed the official programmes for the two days holiday. Do not forget those who, because of their particular calling, could not have a holiday but whose work enabled so many others to enjoy themselves.

At Bideford there was music by radio van on the Broad Quay and Victoria Park from 2.30pm. The streets were thronged and there were large crowds taking the opportunity of a half day at the seaside, for this first day in Bideford was mainly one of private arrangements, each marking the occasion according to his or her own preference. It was essentially a family day.

During the afternoon music was relayed through the loudspeakers installed along the Quay and there were large crowds present. For those who wanted to dance there was a space cleared. Promenading up and down the river front, enjoying the sunshine and the music, was perhaps the most popular pastime.

In the evening thanksgiving services were held in local churches and were very largely attended. The three principal services in Bideford were those at: Bideford Parish Church conducted by the Rev T R Gibby; a united Free Church Service at Bridge Street Methodist Church, as which the preacher was the Rev R Pyke (President of the Free Church Federal Council) and the following ministers also took part Revs T E Clarke, H Wilkinson and R J Parsons, singing being led by the united choirs, and a collection in aid of the starving children of Europe realising £18; and a Roman Catholic service at the Church of the Sacred Heart, conducted by Monsiegneur Dewey and Rev Father Reynolds.

Crowds again gathered in force on the Quay as the evening turned to night and there was lively music and even more lively fireworks, some being tossed in among the feet of the crowd. There were a few individual groups dancing or community singing among themselves (or both) – while all the music was not soft upon the ear, let it also be said some of it, even at the midnight hour, had something of a glee club quality about it.

A number of the principal business premises, and a few private houses, had their lights on and High Street and the Quay presented quite a gay, ‘lit up’ scene. The crowning glory in this respect was the fairly light chain along both sides of the old Long Bridge. Reflections in the night tide, the clouds, silver-edged by the moon, with Bideford rising up in silhouette in the background, and the bustle and laughter of the crowds presented a scene long to be remembered.

The broadcast of the King’s speech was relayed to the crowds through the loudspeakers on the Quay.

Bonfires could be seen in the distance. Several effigies were burned, one at least helping the Welcome Home Fund before going to the stake.

Gazette article dated 21 August 1945

VJ Celebrations – Mayor of Bideford’s Thanks

Sir

Will you kindly allow me through the columns of the ‘Gazette’ (which is regarded so affectionately by Bidefordians at home and abroad) to express my grateful thanks and appreciation to all who by personal service, and otherwise, contributed to make the above celebrations so markedly successful.

The people of Bideford have given much service to the national cause during the anxious war years and they were entitled to enjoy themselves and by every indication they did so very thoroughly. It would be invidious to mention anyone in particular and I hope that all will accept my own and the Mayoress’ warm thanks for their cooperation during the whole of the celebrations.

H W Fulford Mayor of Bideford Mayor’s Office, Bideford, Devon

Gazette 21 August 1945

On the whole it was fairly quiet at Westward Ho!

When the news was heard on Tuesday, small groups went around the town singing, accompanied by a piano-accordian, and several fireworks were set off, but there were no big processions.

Bonfires and dancing were prevalent on Wednesday evening, and an Army dance at the Kingsley Gym was well attended. On Thursday there was dance at the Top Camp and bonfires, fireworks, etc. were ‘also in attendance’ elsewhere.

Gazette article dated 21 August 1945