Write a comment
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the formal acceptance of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces to the Allies of World War II on Tuesday, 8th May 1945. Originally, it was going to be named Ceasefire Day, but Winston Churchill suggested Victory in Europe Day to reflect the ongoing war in the Far East.
The people of Newry had waited more than 5 years for this moment. They had watched their young men and women lose their lives and had suffered the hardships of war at home. The houses of Unionists were decorated with the flags of the allies and schools were closed. The Town Hall hosted a united service of thanksgiving, and a large crowd assembled at Trevor Hill to listen to loudspeakers broadcasting Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speech in the afternoon and King George VI’s address that evening. Later the Hunter Moore Pipe Band headed a large procession culminating in a huge bonfire in the Intermediate School grounds on Hill Street where “an excellent effigy of Hitler” was burned. Celebrations continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning with dances at the Town Hall, Drill Hall and Orange Hall.
For many the celebrations were bittersweet. Servicemen and women were still fighting in the Pacific and would not return until after VJ Day, when victory in Japan was declared on August 15th. Some would not return at all.
Seventeen Royal Naval Ratings from Northern Ireland celebrated VJ Day aboard the flagship HMS Duke of York in Tokyo Bay, including Thomas Grattan, aged 19, from Rathfriland. VJ Day celebrations in Newry were less exuberant and although the Council set aside £100 towards suitable events (about £3,500 today), the money was paid to local charities. August 15th, 1945, saw a large gathering of over 5,000 members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians from across the border counties at Keady, in south Armagh, with many Newry residents following the St Catherine’s Silver & Reed Band. The Newry Reporter commented “Rejoicing at the great Allied Victory did not enter into it, but despite many Roman Catholic bunting, there were quite a number of Union Jacks”.
After their demobilisation from the British armed forces servicemen were issued with civilian clothing. Known as a demob suit, the outfit included: a felt hat or flat cap, a double-breasted 3-piece suit or a single-breasted jacket and trousers, two shirts and collars, a tie, shoes and a raincoat. Women who were demobilised from the armed services were simply given clothing coupons.
One of the main suppliers of demob suits was Burton’s, founded by Montague Burton, and it’s thought that that the phrase the full monty, meaning "everything" originally referred to a full set of demob clothes supplied by the firm. By the end of 1945, around 75,000 demob suits were being made each week. Although the fit was often the butt of jokes, the quality was high, and many men continued to use their demob suits for special occasions.
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Newry & Mourne Museum is displaying a 1940s Burton suit, originally owned by James Murphy. Born in 1916 in Kilkeel, County Down, James worked for a time on the building of the Silent Valley Reservoir. During World War II he joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and served in North Africa.
Also on display is a “Victory Bell”, a handbell bearing the heads of the allied leaders Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin in low relief. During the war, many German aircraft crashed over the UK. Their aluminium was recycled in new aircraft and in 1941 the Buckinghamshire Die-Casting Co used remnants to cast hand bells to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. They were sold for around £1 (about £36 today). A battle souvenir associated with the loss of life is perhaps not so acceptable to modern sensibilities, but it is something that has long been a part of war.
Guest speaker Michael Burns, Research Officer at the Northern Ireland War Memorial (NIWM), will give a talk at the Museum on Thursday 8 May at 2pm. Michael will share recollections of celebrations in Banbridge, Crossgar and Newtownards, offering an evocative window into life in Northern Ireland in 1945.
The Museum would love to add to its collection of photographs, newspaper cuttings or other memorabilia of VE Day and VJ Day celebrations in Newry and Mourne. If readers have any material they would like to share, please contact the Curator.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
