'There were wild celebrations when news of German surrender was announced'
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and approach the anniversary of VJ Day, it is salutary to look back at what Horwich was like in 1945, writes Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage.
Thanks to the Horwich & Westhoughton Journal, which formed part of The Bolton News series of papers, we have a detailed record of the events that year as six years of war finally ended.
During the early months, because of press censorship there were only 'snippets' of information about the progress of the war itself, but there were strong indications of its progress across Europe thanks to the publication of letters home from members of the armed services and reports of the release of local men from the German Prisoner of War Camps (Stalags).
WWII VE Day Winter Street 1945
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When the announcement of the German surrender came on May 8 there were wild celebrations across the country and in the streets of Horwich which were repeated on August 15 when news of the Japanese surrender came through.
As the town struggled to get back to 'normal' peacetime activities, the war still cast a long shadow with the joy of the release of Japanese POWs being mixed with revulsion at their treatment in the now notorious 'death' camps.
The various Civil Defence organisations began to step down, the blackout was lifted, women were released from work on munitions at the Loco Works and local mills like W T Taylor's (the biggest towel manufacturer in Britain at the time) began to recruit workers for the post-war surge in demand.
Both temporary and permanent houses were to be built with priority given to returning servicemen and their families.
However, rationing was still in place with shortages of coal and long waiting lists for most domestic appliances.
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There was a big rush to get away to the Lancashire coast in July for the first post–war Bank Holiday with 9000 Horwich residents making the trip. They managed to send back an astonishing 2000 postcards, most of which commented on how crowded it was!
READ MORE: How a war-weary nation came together for VE Day
80th anniversary of VE Day - how it will be marked in Bolton
Second World War veterans have memories of VE Day brought to life
Despite the regard the nation had for Churchill's wartime efforts, there was a 'landslide' victory for Labour in the General Election with the nation anxious to see changes (the nationalisation of the railways and mines, a National Health Service and educational reform) which would benefit all those who had fought for their country.
The country was determined to show its gratitude to those who had fought and died by making a special effort to commemorate Remembrance Day on 11th November.
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In Horwich, 'Thanksgiving Week' at the end of September raised £96,740 (almost £5 million today) – and this was on top of the other magnificent fund-raising efforts that had taken place during the war years which had already raised over £100,000 (£5 million today).
WWII civic parade
In terms of a 'fitting' memorial to those who had died, Horwich UDC set up a Committee to consult the public and decide what form this should take.
The feeling was against a 'traditional' monument and the majority voted for a public building which would accommodate a swimming baths, assembly hall and meeting rooms.
The Council accepted this decision and offered to maintain such a building but the money would have to be raised separately to construct it.
As we all know, it would take another 30 years (until the 1970s) for these facilities to be built and within another 40 years they would be demolished and replaced with a new 'Leisure Centre'.
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The year ended in a relatively subdued fashion, with Christmas and New Year still 'muted' affairs similar to the previous war years.
This was partly because festive food and drink were still in short supply but also because of the realisation that the post-war recovery was going to be a 'long haul'.
Nevertheless, the Chairman of Horwich UDC, Cllr Close, spoke for everyone in Horwich when he looked forward to a 'lasting peace and greater prosperity'.
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