WW2 Celebrations

Following the news that Germany had been defeated the whole country wanted to celebrate peace.
Croxley Green had a large parade around the village and many streets came together and had parties providing the best of what was available as rationing was very severe at this point. Several outfits in the parade appear to have been saved from the 1935 & 37 celebrations!

Many streets and roads also decided to make the cessation of war in the Far East in August that year an event to celebrate. Many families would have been awaiting the return of their loved ones who had been fighting in that part of the world and this would have given them an opportunity to celebrate peace too.

King George VI gave a speech to the nation. Over the following year, he also sent certificates to individuals who had remained steadfast and who ‘did their bit’. This even included some children.

Peace Celebrations across The Green

Huge crowds joins the parade across The Green

Hazelwood and Oakleigh Drives also join the celebrations

A photo opportunity in period costume

Ladies dressed in other National costumes- note the cricket roller. Names for photo 5 Left to right; Nancy Childs nee Rogers – N Ireland, Peggy Denton - Scotland, Elizabeth Nash – England, Brenda Groom – Wales, Vi King nee Howard – Burma, Elsie Riddle nee Howard - China

Gonville Avenue residents in the parade

George VI Letter to Children

(© Steve Upwood) VE Day Party and a child from Gonville Avenue

Street Parties Celebrating VE and VJ Day

(© loaned by Valerie Vane) Ludlow Way VE Party Keith and Valerie Vane seated at the front

VE party June 1945 Gonville Ave

Behind the British Restaurant children from Winton Drive, Close

Group photograph in Winchester Way

Venue could be the British Restaurant

Unknown road (possibly Winton Drive)

(© loaned by Derek Wakefield) Frankland Road and Frankland Close street party

These children enjoy the Kenillworth Drive party

Group photograph in Hazlewood Road

All the residents of Hazelwood Road gather

More families celebrate in Claremont Crescent

Taken on the corner of Girton Way - Winton Drive

Children of Girton Way- Winton Drive enjoying the day

Every one enjoying the tea party Girton Way - Winton Drive

Possible celebrations for VJ Day in Oakleigh Drive August 1945

Oakleigh Drive VE Day Celebrations 1945

Oakleigh Drive VE Day Celebrations 1945

(© loaned by Bethan Rees-Whybrow) VE Day party in Links Way. It was taken outside my Grandma Grace Rees Owen at number 112 Links Way with a Welsh flag in garden.

(© from the collection of Margaret Pomfret) VE Day Celebrations of Hazelwood Road and Oakleigh Drive

(© from the collection of Margaret Pomfret) VE Day Celebrations of Hazelwood Road and Oakleigh Drive

(© loaned by Shirley Greenman) VJ DAY Sept 15th 1945 Beechcroft Avenue. Shirley Green nee Priestly on the right in reins. John Priestly her father on the right.

(© loaned by Vivienne Astall ) Residents of Canterbury Way's Street Party lined up for a photo to remember their celebration day. 'Included in the photo is Christine Payne, the cross looking fairy in the front row 3rd from the left. Her twin sister Julie Payne is behind her, dressed as a clown. The winner of the Fancy Dress competition is the little boy dressed as an Andersen Shelter! Do you know this boy, can you supply his name, and can you name anyone else in the photograph?

(© loaned by Vivienne Astall ) The children of Canterbury Way pose in their 'Fancy Dress' costumes for the celebrations. In such a short time the costumes are very imaginative!

(© loaned by Lyn Dyke nee Lyn Oliver) VE DAY Durrants Drive -Can you recognise anyone in the photo- let us know if you do? Lyn Oliver is being held by her father J. E. (Ernie) Oliver in the back row, her brother John Oliver is to the left near the Union Jack flag wearing a Red Indian headdress of feathers.

(© loaned by Lyn Dyke (nee Lyn Oliver) VE DAY Durrants Drive -Can you recognise anyone in the photo- please let us know if you do? Lyn Oliver is the baby looking at her mother (known as Mary Oliver) her brother John Oliver is immediately in front wearing a Red Indian headdress of feathers.