A proud daughter has shared her Dad’s memories of the VE Day celebrations which took place in Southport on 8th May 1945.
Bob Hughes recalled great recollections of the crowds of civilians and soldiers who gathered together around the Monument in Southport town centre to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, after neatly six brutal years of conflict.
Sadly Bob passed away last year in Birkdale Park Nursing Home in Southport.
His daughter, Suzanne Gray, said: “Born in August 1936, Robert, or Bob as he was known, was the only child of Robert and Georgena Hughes. He spent the early years of his life living at 110 Segars Lane in Ainsdale in Southport, which was at the time surrounded by fields and farms.
“He had vivid memories of the noisy wooded areas which were used by army training soldiers in preparation for Second World War action.
“Tanks were common on the local roads, more so than cars which were only permitted for medics and other essential services.
“As a little boy he recalled making the one mile walk to Woodvale aerodrome to see it packed with RAF personnel and lines of military aircraft waiting for the night-time call.
“Aged 6, he moved to Ash Street and attended St Philip’s School.
“The family listened every night to the BBC home service and he remembered the shortage of food, rationing, and taking in refugees from Liverpool.”
Bob Hughes’ own account of VE Day 1945 is as follows:
“I was aged 8 and recall the celebrations, all the town seemed to gather at Monument Square, augmented by scores of army personnel from the Harrington Barracks in Formby and the Altcar Army base plus many airmen from RAF Woodvale.
“Lord Street was packed with revelers singing Vera Lynn songs and hugging in groups.
“It was a great celebratory occasion with brass bands playing all the latest hits, including the Joe Loss number, ‘In the Mood’. Impromptu dancing gathered apace in the square and other local musicians joined with accordions and other instruments.
“Several inebriated young soldiers decided to climb the Monument tower, egged on by the crowd. A loudspeaker from the police soon put a stop to that.
“There were no organised firework displays as they were banned during the war and getting hold of them was very difficult. But a local firework manufacturer, Edgar Bradley had a firework business called Excelsior Fireworks and my father managed to get hold of a box as many others did.
“On this evening, the Excelsior fireworks were lit and thrilled the gathered and joyous crowds.
“The White Fountain was by far the favourite, glorious in bright light and very loud!
“It was a great night and followed by street parties in the following days.
“Our party, no alcohol, was again celebratory and neighbours brought their own food and fireworks, including the parents of a school friend from Forest Road. His father had been in the Liverpool Marine Battalion and brought a number of maroons which he detonated from the bottom of the garden, the flares were amazing, much better than any White Fountain!”
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