V-E DAY - Taber Rejoiced


BY KAREN INGRAM


For the Taber Irrigation Impact Museum


The news of Germany’s unconditional


Above: Loren Easthope was a member of the band in this photo after he enlisted. Right:One of the many advertisements that ran in the Taber Times after Victory was declared.


known as V-E Day — had come to fruition.V-E Day is to celebrate the formal acceptance by the Allies of WWII of Nazi Germany’s uncondition- al surrender of its armed forces on May 8, 1945.Upon the defeat of Germany, celebrations erupted throughout the western world, especially in Great Britain and North America.More than one million people cele- brated in the streets throughout Great Britain to mark the end of the European part of the war. In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the mall to Buckingham Palace where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the place to cheering crowds,”said Nguyen. Later involved in heavy fighting in parts of the Netherlands following the D-Day landings in June 1944,Canadian liberators were welcomed with open arms by a war-weary populace. “The first Canadians to celebrate were the sailors on naval and mer- chant ships on the Atlantic, and soldiers and aviators based in Europe,” said Nguyen.“Their long ordeal would seem to be coming to an end, although many would be tasked with providing security in occupied Germany, and bringing aid to the Netherlands where the Dutch were desperate for emergency food and medical supplies distributed by Canadian forces.Across the Netherlands,Canadians were cheered and welcomed as heroes.” The legacy of the conflict still has many lessons for present and future


generations, concluded Nguyen. “At home in Canada, massive crowds filled the streets, there were


parades,band concerts, ticker-tape dropped from the sky by aircraft, and spontaneous singing, dancing and general exuberance.Offices, stores and some factories closed for the day.Canadian students also left their classrooms to take part in the festivities, or to attend special reli- gious services of thanksgiving. In towns, cities and rural villages, there was prayers and cheers of relief,as well as music and for the most part, good natured celebration.‘The silencing of the guns in Europe,’ said the Globe and Mail,‘brought release from bondage of the spirit.’The libera- tion of Europe is an enduring lesson in collaboration and cooperation.”


Original photo from the Golden Jubilee Booklet


Page 12 top:A November 1942 photo of some members of the Lions Club who assisted in sponsoring and advertis- ing the Third Victory Loan campaign during World War II.Signs were placed on each side of the town fire truck which was paraded around the business streets. Left to Right: Cecil Johnson, A.K. Bullock, Rev W.J.Collett,Cecil Mahon,R.L. Anderson, James Black,Don Munro, L.T.Westlake,Ted Sundal, Len Haworth and J.H.Prowse.


surrender was officially received in Taber on Monday,May 7, 1945.Taber was ready for the celebration of the year. Flags were unfurled and plans were put into action for a day of thanks giving.The fire bell rang out, the fire truck was driving through the streets of Taber with the siren blowing at noon. The junior band from Central School led a parade up town and back to the school.They led members of the Legion, Boy Scouts and two leaders, C.G.I.T girls and their leader, the Air Cadets and all the students from Central School.The students of the South Side School marched from their school to meet up with the rest of the parade uptown.The march continued around town ending at the Central School for an afternoon service, giving thanks for the end of the war in Europe.Many songs were played by the Junior Band,many speeches were given by the dignitaries of the town,a poem “They shall not grow old,as we grow old….”was recited by Billy Williams on behalf of the Legion and Veterans.The singing of “God Save the King”concluded the service. All places of business had closed at 1:00 p.m. that day and


The Effigy of Hitler that they burned at the stake.


remained closed until Wednesday morning, allowing everyone to join the party.About 9:00 p.m. that evening the fire truck, once more went around the town making as much noise as pos- sible. Joe Ascroft,Tabers’ oldest living veteran from the Great War was picked up for the ride to the Town Jail where an effigy of Hitler had been imprisoned.The Boy Scouts acted as honor guard and made sure Hitler remained on the back of the fire truck for the trip to the recreation grounds.A pole had been placed there, surrounded by old tires. Hitler was tied to it, fire- crackers were stuffed into his clothing, and gasoline was poured onto the tires and the pole. Joe Ascroft was given the honour of lighting the whole thing on fire. In front of nearly 2,000 people, flames shot up, clouds of black smoke drifted across the town. “In a short time the effigy was consumed and so ended the symbol of Nazi Tyranny.” Free dances were held in all three dance halls the next night, special services were held in all of the churches in and around Taber that entire week and a general day of prayer was held throughout Canada the first Sunday after VE Day. Taber celebrated, families looked forward to seeing their brave


loved ones who had enlisted so long ago.Men would soon be returning home.World War II was over!


Information on the celebration


from the Taber Times of May 10, 1945. insight magazine june 2020 - 13


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