South East gathers to commemorate VE Day

People across the south-east of England have been gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Events are taking place across Kent, Surrey and East and West Sussex to commemorate 8 May 1945, the day that marked the end of World War Two in Europe.

People who lived through VE Day, including veterans, have attended events in cities, towns and villages to mark the occasion and share their memories.

Proclamations were read out and a two-minute silence was held, while beacons will be lit across the region on Thursday evening to mark the historic day.

Keith Ovens. 89, attended a ceremony in Epsom, Surrey.

He said: “It is important to remember because of all that went before and the sacrifice of so many people.”

He said he remembered being bombed out of his home in Hackney, east London, and had clear recollections of VE Day in 1945.

“It was euphoria. It was amazing. The streets were alive,” he added.

“A piano appeared from nowhere. A barrel of beer appeared. There was dancing in the streets and we had a big party.”

John Smith, 96, from Dover, was a teenager when World War Two broke out.

Being so close to Calais meant that the port was a key target and so children like John were sent away for safety.

He told BBC Radio Kent: “When our house was destroyed, my father got allocated another house just outside Dover for the rest of the war.

“I almost got killed as I’d been to the cinema and there was an almighty bang and a shell fell just outside the building where I’d just been.”

Sylvia Holder, 86, from Hove, was aged six on VE Day.

She told BBC Radio Sussex: “I remember the extraordinary excitement everywhere.

“I do remember it being totally manic.”