'VE Day was the beginning of a different life'

8 May 2025

Jean Stockdale and Pearl Hessle being told the war was over

BBC/Julia Lewis Two women sit next to each other and look directly at the camera. The woman on the left is wearing a denim shirt and a red, dotted scarf, while the woman on the right is wearing a floral top and magenta cardigan. — Jean Stockdale and Pearl Hessle being told the war was over

"Can I have your attention. The war is over." Those were the words Jean Stockdale recalled hearing during a lesson at school 80 years ago.

Then aged 11, the girl and her family were among thousands of people in York who took to the streets to celebrate Victory in Europe Day after 's unconditional surrender the day before.

"We thought it was the beginning of something rather than it was the end of the war," Mrs Stockdale said.

"It was the beginning of a different life, now in peacetime."

When Mrs Stockdale came home from school that day she re walking into town with her family and seeing everyone's windows flung open as the streets filled with music and dancing.

Her best friend Pearl Hessle, 91, shared similar memories, distinctly recalling how her mother told her to take off all the blackout curtains, which had been used to protect their home during air raids.

She said: "On the day war was declared over, I my mum saying 'tonight we are all going out and walk down the street and you can look in everybody's rooms because all the lights will be on in everybody's houses.

" 'It will be light, light, light everywhere'. And that's what we did, it was magic."

Listen: York residents VE Day

In Sheffield, a nine-year-old girl called Edith Briggs stayed with family friends in Greaves Street when the announcement came in.

A flurry of activity erupted, coats were pulled over nightwear and people began gathering in the street to light several bonfires that had been prepared in advance.

"What a night," Mrs Briggs, now 89, told the BBC. "The war was over."

"A few days later, my grandad and auntie organised a street party to celebrate.

"Of course the community spirit was so wonderful. It was a great time, we were all so happy."

Edith Briggs at the street party in Sheffield several days after VE Day in 1945

Family handout A black and white picture of dozens of children sitting at a long table covered in a white cloth. Flowers are placed at the centre and two blue arrows point to two girls, one of them is Edith. — Edith Briggs at the street party in Sheffield several days after VE Day in 1945

Pamela Rae, who now lives in Ilkley, worked as a radar mechanic for the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) during the war.

The centenarian recalled marching in the victory parade through Glasgow where she had read English and philosophy at university before the war broke out.

"It was very exciting," the mother of three said.

"We started at the top but marching down a hill is not as easy as on the level, it was very difficult to keep in step."

Pamela Rae at her home in Ilkley recalls VE Day 80 years ago

BBC/Julia Bryson An elderly woman sits in a chair by the window. She is wearing a red sweater and white blouse underneath, paired with a grey, long skirt. She is wearing a black velvet hat. — Pamela Rae at her home in Ilkley recalls VE Day 80 years ago

As a budding journalist, Mrs Rae decided to write an article about the parade under the pseudonym "A leading Wren" for the Glasgow Herald.

"I was quite pleased but two days later an officer came round and asked 'who wrote that article":[]}