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The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Almost half of Brit population joined in VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations smashing previous records
A RECORD 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Almost half the country took part in some way, by attending street parties, parades or by observing the two-minute silence. Advertisement 8 A record 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month Credit: Getty 8 Veteran George Durrant, 100, who received the Burma Star, proudly waves his flag as he receives kisses Credit: Getty 8 RAF veterans Kathleen Lawrence, 101, and husband Roy Lawrence, 100, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire Credit: Getty 8 The Sun's Mike Ridley interviews veteran Bernard Morgan, 100 Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 8 Jim Bowes dances with a member of staff at Erskine Veterans Home in Bishopton, Scotland Credit: Getty It smashed the record set by the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when 16.8million people took part. Brendan Cox, whose Together Coalition helped promote the commemoration, said: 'The historic levels of participation tell us there is a desire to connect with our shared history and to celebrate shared values together. 'At a time when our politics is more fragmented than ever, it's all the more welcome our country is still able to come together to celebrate what we have in common.' The events marked Advertisement Read More on UK News A military parade past Thousands of A service was held in VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 8 King Charles with veteran Harry Richardson, 107, during the anniversary Credit: AFP Advertisement 8 Prince George and Kate meet veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace Credit: PA 8 Veterans pose for a picture at the National Memorial Arboretum Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Almost half of Brit population joined in VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations smashing previous records
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RECORD 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Almost half the country took part in some way, by attending street parties, parades or by observing the two-minute silence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 A record 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month Credit: Getty 8 Veteran George Durrant, 100, who received the Burma Star, proudly waves his flag as he receives kisses Credit: Getty 8 RAF veterans Kathleen Lawrence, 101, and husband Roy Lawrence, 100, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire Credit: Getty 8 The Sun's Mike Ridley interviews veteran Bernard Morgan, 100 Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 8 Jim Bowes dances with a member of staff at Erskine Veterans Home in Bishopton, Scotland Credit: Getty It smashed the record set by the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when 16.8million people took part. Brendan Cox, whose Together Coalition helped promote the commemoration, said: 'The historic levels of participation tell us there is a desire to connect with our shared history and to celebrate shared values together. 'At a time when our politics is more fragmented than ever, it's all the more welcome our country is still able to come together to celebrate what we have in common.' The events marked eight decades since the end of World War Two in Europe on May 8, 1945. A military parade past Buckingham Palace was watched by the Royal Family and veterans. Thousands of street parties were also set up across Britain. A service was held in Westminster Abbey and 10,000 people joined the King and Queen at a pop concert on Horse Guards Parade. VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 8 King Charles with veteran Harry Richardson, 107, during the anniversary Credit: AFP 8 Prince George and Kate meet veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace Credit: PA
Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Times
Veterans gather at VE Day memorial service to keep history alive
On May 8 1945, George Durrant was sweating in the Burmese jungle when the news came through of victory in Europe. The Americans air-dropped them some beer to celebrate. Bernard Morgan, who had fought through France since D-Day, marked VE Day in better style in Germany, with a bonfire and, his friends having requisitioned a passing deer, venison. Four thousand miles south, Wilson Cotton learnt of Nazi capitulation via a morse code message sent to his ship off Africa. He got an extra day's pay, then went back to work. Albert Lovett didn't get that. The bomber crewman rolled up his sleeve for injections in preparation for a posting to the Far East. Eighty years ago, the random fortunes of war, saw these men scattered
