8th May 1945: VE Day.
The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, officially announces the end of the war with Germany. In a message broadcast to the nation from the Cabinet room at Number 10, he said the ceasefire had been signed at 0241 yesterday at the American advance headquarters in Rheims. Huge crowds, many dressed in red, white and blue, gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London and were cheered as the King, Queen and two Princesses came out onto the balcony. Earlier tens of thousands of people had listened intently as the King's speech was relayed by loudspeaker to those who had gathered in Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. Winston Churchill made a broadcast to the nation, and in his wonderful and dramatic way told everyone that the war was over. In it he paid tribute to the men and women who had laid down their lives for victory as well as to all those who had "fought valiantly" on land, sea and in the air. "We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our task, both at home and abroad. Advance Britannia."
That day marked the s t a r t o f o u r s e r v i c e m e n ’ s return to their loved ones, with whom their only form of communication for months and even years was by letter. We have been given a book by a local l a d y , V i r g i n i a Aighton, who has put together a number of these letters from her father to her mother back home, which is a similar story for thousands of couples torn apart during the war. Some people might remember Jim as the 8 7 y e a r o l d Accrington man who never recovered from his injuries after confronting intruders in his home.
Jim’s Story is available from Pam’s Bookends in Great Harwood.
Winston’s Words of Wisdom
On Clement Atlee. "A sheep in sheep's clothing" “A modest man, who has much to be modest about.” “An empty taxi arrived at 10 Downing Street, and when the door was opened, Atlee got out" On Stanley Baldwin. "I wish Stanley Baldwin no ill, but it would have been much better if he had never lived" "He occasionally stumbled over the truth, but hastily picked himself up and hurried on as if nothing had happened" "He looked at foreign affairs through the wrong end of a municipal drainpipe" On Neville Chamberlain. Lady Astor to Churchill "Winston, if you were my husband I would flavour your coffee with poison" Churchill: "Madam, if I were your husband, I should drink it" Bessie Braddock to Churchill "Winston, your drunk!" Churchill: "Bessie, you're ugly, and tomorrow morning I shall be sober" Did you know - Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.
More Caustic Comebacks.
Are you the first in your family to be born without a tail? As an outsider, what do you think of the human race? I’m not as dumb as you look.
When I want your opinion I’ll rattle your cage.
10.
If I was stuck on a desert island with you and three wishes, I’d still have two wishes !
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The Winner of our Picture Quiz for Guess The Monarch is
Tony and Beth
They win a Family Ticket to the King Georges Hall Pantomime Later in the year. Well done and watch out for our next Quiz.
AA
ACCRINGTON AUTOBODIES
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