V.E. Day Braintree 1945

Outside the Town Hall (Chelmsford Chronicle)

Since September 1939 the people of Braintree and Bocking had endured almost seven years of Blackout darkness and now, on Tuesday 8^th May 1945 as Victory in Europe Day was celebrated, they intended to rejoice in the light, filled with hope for a better future.

The town had seen a great many changes since 1939.  War production had once again employed many women in the foundries, Crittalls and Lake & Elliott producing Bailey Bridges and vehicle Jacks for army use.  Vast numbers of foreign servicemen came through the town and during 1942 there were many air bases filled, with US servicemen both black and white, erected close to the town. 

Having entertained many soldiers in the ‘Last Lot’ the town was well able to cope with an influx of newcomers.  Such men were soon welcomed in all the tea rooms, pubs, dance halls and houses in the area.  It is very tempting to make VE Day a ‘British’ celebration but the presence of so many allied servicemen in the town on this day indicates how many nations were enlisted to win this ‘world war.’

As expected, the war was to bring damage to the town and lives were to be lost.  Over 90 men and one woman were to die in service.  Two major bomb incidents and several smaller ones plus one visit from a ‘Doodlebug,’ the ‘V1’ flying rocket, led to loss of life and damage to property.  Passing German aircraft patrolling the region would also machine gun and bomb individual targets.  Also

many airmen flying from the local air bases lodged with families in the town, these were often mourned as family with information as to their loss often scarce.

While all rejoiced on VE Day others were conscious of the ongoing war in the Far East.  Men from this town had been participating in action there.  Many men, possibly from this region, were struggling to survive in Japanese Prison of War camps, suffering torment and disease.

Victory in Europe, V.E. Day, was therefore welcomed by all but there would be few who would remain unchanged by the previous seven long years.

V.E. Day Celebration

Tuesday evening May 8^th saw Braintree Market Square awash with light.  The ‘Blackout’ darkness had gone.  No more rushing to close the curtains, no more Wardens rapping on the door crying “Put that light out!” Tonight, the shops, houses, churches and public houses lit up all their lamps and the Market Place itself was lit by three ‘one thousand candle-power electric lamps’ for the occasion.  Such brightness at night must have been ‘illuminating’ for many townspeople.  Flags flew from the masts at Crittalls foundry as they did all over the town, bunting and flags were everywhere. 

A service of thanksgiving was held at St Michaels at night, at such times people wish to say thanks to someone even if they are not true believers.  The churches responded; they too had lost men during this conflict.

That evening there was no band available to play for the crowds instead, from the Town Hall balcony, gramophone music was played to the girls dancing below with the sailors, soldiers and airmen of many nations.  ‘Coloured lights’ and ‘bombs’ were fired, crammed public houses with extended licences strove to satisfy the crowds and ‘hilarity’ was all around as celebrations continued well into Wednesday morning.

By one o’clock that morning, one soldier made to show the people what he was made off by climbing on the lantern in the fountain and beginning a strip tease act.  This did not reach completion however as he, not unexpectedly, fell into the crowd below.  The night ended following this with a ‘water battle’ making use of the plentiful supply in the fountain.  The crowds then dispersed and ‘no harm was done,’ claimed the Essex Newsman of May 11^th 1945.

Next morning, at the Wednesday Market Day, only two stalls were to be seen although ‘Balls & Balls’ held their ‘Fat Stock market’ just the same.

Victory Parade

On Sunday afternoon servicemen paraded through the town to the Market Square.  Some 500 American Soldiers, similar numbers of US airmen from the nearby bases, and a female contingent from the American Hospital joined men from the RAF to parade.  Joining the uniformed services were Braintree’s Home Guard under Captain H. Smith making their final appearance.  Also on parade were the Police under Superintendent Phillibrown, High School Cadets (Captain A.M. Dell), Braintree Sea Cadets (Commander A.H. Freeman), Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Girls Corps, N.F.S and Civil Defence units as they marched around the town to the Market Square.   Mr E.A. Parish marshalled the event.

When the crowds had gathered in the Market Square a service of thanksgiving was held, the vicar Rev. Hartley S. Brook officiating.  The Baptist Minister the Rev. T. Herbert Davies, who had seen his manse destroyed by the Land Mine that landed during 1941 gave the address, surprising common convention by speaking in his shirtsleeves, the day being warm.  The Dean, the Very Rev. Edgar Rogers O.B.E. gave the benediction at the finale. 

The Dean had been accidentally omitted from the order of proceedings but once allotted his spot he arrived early and dressed in his regalia joined the Town Chairman Mr Frank Dance, wearing his chain of office, and led the march along the two miles around the town at the head of the parade.  This amazed the clergy assembled on the platform, the Dean being well past his ‘allotted span.’ 

Captain Alice Howard of the American Army Hospital hoisted the Victory Flag over Braintree Church.   

Missing Town Band

There was one discordant ‘note’ in the proceedings.  At the beginning of the Great War the Towns bands had marched along playing jingoistic tunes.  In 1918 the remaining members were assembled and accompanied the marchers as they paraded around the town.  In 1945 no band was available to play; the Town Band had disappeared. 

Somewhat disgruntled with their treatment by the town the band had agreed to play at Halstead on V.E. Day, an agreement made some 6 months previously.  This did not please the towns-folks as the only band remaining were the young Sea Cadets band, a band not quite up to the marching and playing as yet. 

However, for the Sunday Victory parade Frank Dance made a late-night plea for the Town Band to appear and was under the impression a deal had been struck; yet they were again not to be seen.  This time they were playing for Saffron Walden rather than Braintree, their home town.  The grumbles filled the local media and no doubt caused mutterings amongst the band’s friends for some time.

However, no matter how annoying that may have been the locals were upset to see two B 17’s from the US air force come together over Braintree on Thursday morning May the 10th.  The craft had been flying over Germany allowing ground crew to see the results of their work over the previous few years.  How sad that while one damaged aircraft managed to land the second came down in Bocking near the Convent killing all on board.  Sad to say these were not the only men who had survived years of action then died in accidents in the weeks after the end of the war.      

The people rejoiced, the people then began to build a new nation, better housing, health and education opportunities high on the list.   Did they succeed?