The 8^th May 2025 is the 80^th Anniversary of V‑E Day (Victory in Europe). V‑E Day is a pivotal moment in history marking the end of World War II in Europe in 1945 when the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The Russians celebrate Victory Day (День Победы) on 9^th May.

V‑E Day signified an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries. It was not the end of the conflict, nor was it an end to the impact the war had on people. The war against Japan did not end until August 1945, and the political, social and economic repercussions of the World War II were felt long after Germany and Japan surrendered.

At 3pm on V‑E Day, Churchill made a national radio broadcast. In it, he announced the welcome news that the war had ended in Europe – but he included a note of caution, saying:

“We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”

Winston Churchill’s address to the nation at 3pm on 8^th May 1945.

Later on Churchill appeared on the balcony of the Ministry of Health building in central London and gave an impromptu speech.

On this 80^th anniversary of V‑E Day we remember the service and sacrifice of Commonwealth military and civilian men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy and Emergency Services, factory workers involved in ship, aircraft, and munitions production and those who worked the land during World War II, who collectively sought to defended our freedoms.

Here are a selection of the stories BajanThings have covered over the last 10 years:

• Sid Graham. A forgotten Bajan WWII hero (1920 – 2017)
• British Ship: SS Scottish Star Torpedoed – 19th February 1942
• SS Quaker City – Torpedoed 18th May 1942. The story of John Heller
• Survivors arriving in Barbados in May 1942 from merchant ships sunk by German U-Boats
• Torpedoing of the Cornwallis in Carlisle Bay, Barbados, 11th September 1942
• Anti Submarine & Torpedo Net – Carlisle Bay, Barbados 1942
• The Sinking of the Florence M. Douglas and the story of Douglas the Barbadian who joined the German Navy in World War II
• Vice Admiral Henry C. Bovell (1893 – 1963)
• P/O Keith G Proverbs: Out Of Tragedy Came Advances in Air Safety and Science
• F/O Errol Barrow RAF Navigator World War II & Prime Minister of Barbados
• The Beautiful Blonde in the Bank – F/L Andrew Leslie Cole AFC RAF
• F/O Leo Leslie Schultz RAAF – 1921 to 1990
• F/O Robert Allen “Shorty” Stewart RAAF 1919 to 2004
• Errol Barrow and his commanding officer Sholto Douglas
• F/L Fredrick Edsall Clarke RCAF 414 Army Cooperation Squadron 1917 – 2005
• P/O George HF Inniss: 31st May 1916 to 5th February 1941
• Aircraft losses Pont-Saint-Martin during World War II – Remembering P/O George Inniss and the crew of Hampden AD750 from RAF 106 Squadron