City Stories

VE Day 80 - 8th May 2025

Dancing around the Clock Tower, Leicester Mercury

8th May 2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of Second World War in Europe
Known as Victory Day in 1945 and Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) since then
Crowds across the Europe erupted in celebration on hearing the news of the end of the war

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VE80 - Victory in Europe Day - 80th Anniversary

Spontaneous Celebrations

Friday 8^th May 2025 marks the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).

VE Day celebrates the formal end of Second World War in Europe. On hearing the news celebrations spontaneously erupted across much of the world.

Here in Leicester, it was no different, with impromptu street parties and crowds gathering at the Clock Tower to celebrate. After over five and half years of fighting, people could finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the war on the Home Front was finally coming to an end.

80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Victory Day Parade

Shortly after Victory Day, in May 1945, there was a parade organised in Leicester. The parade involved the many civilian and military workers who supported the war effort. They paraded on foot, on floats and with vehicles in front of the Lord Mayor outside City Hall. Huge crowds of locals came to support and celebrate what was an incredibly important day.

Police officers parading past the Lord Mayor, during the Victory Day celebrations Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office.

Women's Land Army in the Victory Day parade along Charles Street Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office.

An armoured vehicle parading past the Lord Mayor during the Victory Day celebrations Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office.

Firemen in the Victory Day parade along Charles Street Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office.

Leicester's Victory in Europe Day Memories

We asked the residents of Leicester to share their Second World War related memories and photographs, particularly from Victory Day 1945 in Leicester. Here you can discover some of those stories and what the day meant to the people of Leicester.

Brenda Hargrave

'I was only about 16 months old at the time and can only remember what my mother told me about the occasion. At the time we lived at 2 Percy Road (Aylestone). Our house backed onto the houses on Saffron Lane where the main celebration took place. People living around the corner in Knighton Lane also joined in the street party.

The celebrations took place outside the houses along the stretch of Saffron Lane between Knighton Lane and the then Aylestone and District Working Men's Club and Institute.'

Children celebrate Victory Day at the street party on Saffron Lane, 1945.

Brenda is in the centre and she believes the older boy on the left of the picture was one of the boys from the White family who lived on Knighton Lane, 1945.

Margaret Reed

'Although I don't have any photos of VE Day celebrations, I do have this copy of a certificate signed by King George VI. These certificates were given to all children who were still at school at the end of the Second World War.'

Margaret's copy of her certificate from King George VI.

Robert Kemp

'Here’s a photograph of a street party held in The Oval in Oadby to mark VE Day. I’m one of the youngsters in the background, accompanied by my mother, Betty Kemp.'

The Victory Day party at The Oval in Oadby, 1945.

Rosemary Cragg

Rosemary was born a few weeks after Victory Day in 1945.

'I can still remember many of the names of our neighbours in this picture, although I wasn’t born until a few weeks afterwards. My father had been heading for France, and D-Day, when the vehicle he was in was involved in an accident. It meant he was in Stoke Mandeville hospital for some months – but it prevented him from going to France. He was demobbed from the RAF in 1944.'

Rosemary's family photograph from their street party, 1945

Sue Simpson

'My mum, Beryl Bostock (née Carvell) lived at 58 Strathmore Avenue in Belgrave as a child. These pictures show Beryl, her brother Maurice and her sister Olive (seated middle front right) at their VE Day street party. After the party, the children played games next to the railway embankment near Roseneath Road/Barkby Lane. Maurice is pictured in the three-legged race.'

Left; Beryl, Maurice and Olive at the street party, 1945.

Colin Chesterman

'Here’s a photograph of our VE Day street party in Sandy Rise in Wigston. My brother is the first boy seated at the front – and I am sitting next to him. My grandfather is in the deckchair at the back.'

The Victory Day street party on Sandy Rise in Wigston, 1945.

Doreen Needham (née Limbert)

'We moved to 74 Stonesby Avenue (Aylestone)when I was five and my dad had come home from the RAF. The street party was held opposite Saffron Hill cemetery and whole streets got together to create a great day.

The women produced sheets for tablecloths, plates for cakes and sandwiches, dishes for jellies, trifles and salads – despite severe rationing. Bottles of pop appeared on the tables and everyone had a real feast. The only neighbours I can remember are the Dales, Limberts, Stones, Boltons, Miles, Astills, Weightmans, Hulls and Chesters.

I can never remember being bored. Thruppeny Magna pictures on Saturday afternoons with twopennorth of kali and two ha'penny liquorices…'

The street party attended by Doreen in Aylestone, 1945.

Dave Cooper

'My dad, Bert Cooper was an apprentice engineer at Wadkin on Green Lane Road throughout the war. Being in a 'reserved occupation', he served with the Home Guard.

This picture shows him with family, friends and colleagues outside the house on Kitchener Road (Evington). Also in the picture is Bert's brother, Doug, with his wife Gladys (far left). Bert worked in the engineering industry until 1988 but sadly passed away in 1990.'

Bert Cooper, second right with family and friends.

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the Second World War

Six battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment served abroad during the war, from Norway to Malaya. These earned twenty-three Battle Honours. 13 further Battalions recruited locally guarded the City and County. For their service the Regiment was granted the title “Royal” by King George VI, becoming the Royal Leicestershire Regiment in 1946.

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment badge depicting a tiger

VE Day Celebrations Through the Years

VE Day has been marked in Leicester annually with parades and remembrance services attended by military personnel, veterans, the public, local council officials and civic dignitaries.

Military veterans parade along Greyfriars as part in the VE Day Commemorations, 1995.

Military personal and civic dignitaries attend the 70th anniversary celebrations at Leicester Town Hall, 2015.

A lone piper plays in front of The Arch of Remembrance during the pandemic restricted 2020 VE Day celebrations.

Leicester Museums & Galleries Collection

Leicester Museums & Galleries hold many objects and artefacts connected to Second World War. Below you can find out more about some of the most interesting items.

Children's graffiti

This piece of concrete is from St Mary’s Field Infant and Nursery School (now a primary school). It’s a concrete slab which was part of a Second World War air raid shelter in grounds of the school. These children’s drawings were discover on the concrete when it was being removed. On the surface in pencil are children's names, sketches and a drawing of the Blitz.

The drawings left by school children at St Mary's.

Wartime paintings by Kenneth Holmes

Kenneth Holmes was born in Skipton and went to the College of Art in Skipton, then Leeds and finally studied at the Royal College of Art. Obtained A.R.C.A. in engraving and mural design in 1928. Later becoming Principal of the Leicester College of Art from 1934-1956. He was active until the 1950s.

In 1941 he painted a series of 23 watercolour drawings of the bomb-damaged areas of the city, purchased the following year by the museum.

Spontaneous Celebrations Friday 8th May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). VE Day celebrates the formal end of Second World War in Europe. On hearing the news celebrations spontaneously erupted across much of the world. Here in Leicester was no different with impromptu street parties and crowds gathering at the Clock Tower to celebrate. After 6 years and 1 day of war people could finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the war that had taken over their lives was finally coming to an end. VE80_logo.jpg80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Victory Day Parade Shortly after Victory Day, in May 1945, there was a parade organised in Leicester. The parade involved the many civilian and military workers who supported the war effort. They paraded on foot, on floats and with vehicles in front of the Lord Mayor outside City Hall. Huge crowds of locals came to support and celebrate what was an incredibly important day. SOL VE day 004Police officers parading past the Lord Mayor, during the Victory Day celebrations Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office. SOL VE day 003Women's Land Army in the Victory Day parade along Charles Street Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office. SOL VE day 001An armoured vehicle parading past the Lord Mayor during the Victory Day celebrations Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office. SOL VE day 002Firemen in the Victory Day parade along Charles Street Leicester, 1945. Leicestershire Record Office. Leicester's Victory in Europe Day Memories We asked the residents of Leicester to share their Second World War related memories and photographs, particularly from Victory Day 1945 in Leicester. Here you can discover some of those stories and what the day meant to the people of Leicester. Brenda Hargrave 'I was only about 16 months old at the time and can only remember what my mother told me about the occasion. At the time we lived at 2 Percy Road (Aylestone). Our house backed onto the houses on Saffron Lane where the main celebration took place. People living around the corner in Knighton Lane also joined in the street party. The celebrations took place outside the houses along the stretch of Saffron Lane between Knighton Lane and the then Aylestone and District Working Men's Club and Institute.' VE80_brenda_01.jpgChildren celebrate Victory Day at the street party on Saffron Lane, 1945. Public 0001Brenda is in the centre and she believes the older boy on the left of the picture was one of the boys from the White family who lived on Knighton Lane, 1945. Margaret Reed 'Although I don't have any photos of VE Day celebrations, I do have this copy of a certificate signed by King George VI. These certificates were given to all children who were still at school at the end of the Second World War.' Public 0002Margaret's copy of her certificate from King George VI. Robert Kemp 'Here’s a photograph of a street party held in The Oval in Oadby to mark VE Day. I’m one of the youngsters in the background, accompanied by my mother, Betty Kemp.' Public 0003The Victory Day party at The Oval in Oadby, 1945. Rosemary Cragg Rosemary was born a few weeks after Victory Europe Day. 'I can still remember many of the names of our neighbours in this picture, although I wasn’t born until a few weeks afterwards. My father had been heading for France, and D-Day, when the vehicle he was in was involved in an accident. It meant he was in Stoke Mandeville hospital for some months – but it prevented him from going to France. He was demobbed from the RAF in 1944.' Public 0004Rosemary's family photograph from their street party, 1945 Sue Simpson 'My mum, Beryl Bostock (née Carvell) lived at 58 Strathmore Avenue in Belgrave as a child. These pictures show Beryl, her brother Maurice and her sister Olive (seated middle front right) at their VE Day street party. After the party, the children played games next to the railway embankment near Roseneath Road/Barkby Lane. Maurice is pictured in the three-legged race.' Public 0005Left; Beryl, Maurice and Olive at the street party, 1945. Colin Chesterman 'Here’s a photograph of our VE Day street party in Sandy Rise in Wigston. My brother is the first boy seated at the front – and I am sitting next to him. My grandfather is in the deckchair at the back.' Public 0007The Victory Day street party on Sandy Rise in Wigston, 1945. Doreen Needham (née Limbert) 'We moved to 74 Stonesby Avenue (Aylestone)when I was five and my dad had come home from the RAF. The street party was held opposite Saffron Hill cemetery and whole streets got together to create a great day. The women produced sheets for tablecloths, plates for cakes and sandwiches, dishes for jellies, trifles and salads – despite severe rationing. Bottles of pop appeared on the tables and everyone had a real feast. The only neighbours I can remember are the Dales, Limberts, Stones, Boltons, Miles, Astills, Weightmans, Hulls and Chesters. I can never remember being bored. Thruppeny Magna pictures on Saturday afternoons with twopennorth of kali and two ha'penny liquorices…' Public 0008The street party attended by Doreen in Aylestone, 1945. Dave Cooper 'My dad, Bert Cooper was an apprentice engineer at Wadkin on Green Lane Road throughout the war. Being in a 'reserved occupation', he served with the Home Guard. This picture shows him with family, friends and colleagues outside the house on Kitchener Road (Evington). Also in the picture is Bert's brother, Doug, with his wife Gladys (far left). Bert worked in the engineering industry until 1988 but sadly passed away in 1990.' Public 0006Bert Cooper, second right with family and friends. The Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the Second World War Six battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment served abroad during the war, from Norway to Malaya. These earned twenty-three Battle Honours. 13 further Battalions recruited locally guarded the City and County. For their service the Regiment was granted the title “Royal” by King George VI, becoming the Royal Leicestershire Regiment in 1946. Leic_regiment_badge.jpgThe Royal Leicestershire Regiment badge depicting a tiger VE Day Celebrations Through the Years VE Day has been marked in Leicester annually with parades and remembrance services attended by military personnel, veterans, the public, local council officials and civic dignitaries. SOL VE day 005Military veterans parade along Greyfriars as part in the VE Day Commemorations, 1995. SOL VE day 007Military personal and civic dignitaries attend the 70th anniversary celebrations at Leicester Town Hall, 2015. VE75_event.jpgA lone piper plays in front of The Arch of Remembrance during the pandemic restricted 2020 VE Day celebrations. Leicester Museums & Galleries Collection Leicester Museums & Galleries hold many objects and artefacts connected to Second World War. Below you can find out more about some of the most interesting items. Children's graffiti This piece of concrete is from St Mary’s Field Infant and Nursery School (now a primary school). It’s a concrete slab which was part of a Second World War air raid shelter in grounds of the school. These children’s drawings were discover on the concrete when it was being removed. On the surface in pencil are children's names, sketches and a drawing of the Blitz. graffittiThe names and drawings left by school children at St Mary's. Wartime paintings by Kenneth Holmes.

Left, ‘Sudeley Avenue’ watercolour 1941

The ‘Leicester Blitz’ took place in 1941 with many places across the city affected. This painting shows a damaged house on Sudeley Avenue near Abbey Lane.

Right, ‘Conduit Street’ watercolour, 1941

This painting shows a bombed house on Conduit Street near London Road.

Leather boots

This well-used pair of black leather boots was worn by a young boy during the Second World War. The 'Utility Mark' is stamped inside, indicating they were part of the scheme that strict limits on the way they were manufactured.

This scheme applied to clothing and shoes laying down regulations as to how much yardage of fabric you could have in a garment, how many tucks, buttons and so on (this caused hemlines to go up and slim styles to become fashionable).

Well-worn boots in Leicester Museums & Galleries Collection.

The 'Utility Mark' clothing scheme was a form of rationing brought in to control the limited amount of textile materials that were available. The Government imposed regulations on clothing factories so they had to produce garments that complied with the new rules. These restrictions were all to reduce the amount of materials used up. Similar restrictions were enforced over shoe production and shoes were encouraged to be sturdy and safe, with the emphasis being on practicality rather than appearance. I think this can be seen in the boots!

Even after Victory Day the Utility Mark scheme continued for another six years until 1951. Most Utility Mark clothing would have a ‘CC41’ mark somewhere, which makes it easy to identify (CC stands for civilian clothing).

Air raid information booklet

The booklet was produced by 'The City Air Raid Precautions Department' in order to advise citizens of Leicester on what to do in the event of an air raid.

At the time, air raid precautions were one of the most important responsibilities of the city council and this small handbook, ‘Air Raid Precautions in Leicester’ was issued to every house in the city giving residents essential information about what to do in an emergency.

Guidance for the residents of Leicester

Victory Europe Day - 80th Anniversary Walking Trail

Explore Leicester's World War history with this short walking trail that takes you around locations and Heritage Panels that are related to the First and Second World Wars.

Trail coming soon.