30-04-2025
Burning baffles and drinking pubs dry: How Glasgow celebrated VE Day
ALMOST 80 years ago to the day, Glasgow Corporation was preparing to host a public celebration of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
After almost six years of worldwide warfare, peace in Europe heralded a return to ordinary life and the lifting of wartime restrictions.
It was an occasion which merited thanksgiving and it was the Lord Provost's office which was responsible for arranging Glasgow's civic celebration in George Square.
(Image: Newsquest)
The victory announcement had come on May 7, 1945. People rejoiced to hear it on the radio shortly before 8pm that evening.
It had been a long expected and much delayed announcement. Glaswegians had been gathering in George Square throughout the day.
They were joined by press photographers hoping to catch an image of the crowds bathed in the floodlights and festoon lighting yet to be switched on. Blazing lights after the blackout years were much anticipated - blazing bonfires, too.
These appeared across the city, on vacant pieces of ground as well as on the streets themselves.
Police put a stop to this latter practice and enlisted the National Fire Service to extinguish the fires and prevent damage to the street surfaces.
The doors of air raid shelters were ripped off in the relentless quest for fuel. Other potent symbols of wartime were also targeted.
A total of 258 baffle walls in the East End were pushed over. Baffle walls were brick structures built at close mouths to protect the building from the effects of a bomb blast.
A street in Kinning Park showing baffle walls at the close mouths, 1944 (Image: Glasgow City Archives)
However, they changed the familiar layout of the streets and were a hazard themselves during blackout conditions. Many people were injured by walking straight into them at full speed. It wasn't surprising that Glaswegians were glad to see an end to them.
• Victory in Europe, George Square Ceremony Programme, May 1945 (Image: Glasgow City Archives)
The following day, May 8, was VE (Victory in Europe) Day. There was a holiday atmosphere in Glasgow. Many buildings were bedecked with flags, crowds thronged the streets and, once more, people were drawn to George Square.
This time, the authorities had laid on entertainment for the large crowd. Broadcast music and pipe bands accompanied singing and dancing among those gathered. George Square was not particularly suited for such a large crowd but the police did their best to help people enjoy themselves.
A member of the Mounted Police cleared a space for people to dance an eightsome reel. Everywhere, people danced, in the streets and in the city's dance halls, the opening hours of which had been extended along with those of other places of entertainment. Sadly, some celebrations were cut short. Certain licensed premises had to close early due to their stocks of liquor being exhausted by early evening.
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It was clear that the authorities had been expecting somewhat riotous celebrations from Glaswegians. However, the Chief Constable of Glasgow Police, in his report to the Lord Provost, declared that 'the citizens of Glasgow conducted themselves in a most exemplary and seemly manner throughout.'
Wednesday, May 9, 1945 saw George Square being converged upon once again, this time for the civic ceremony at 3pm. The event was planned meticulously and the process chronicled in a file of paperwork now held as part of the collections in the City Archives.
While people assembled in the square to await the beginning of proceedings, selections by the Band of the Cameronians were played. The Lord Provost was joined by representatives from the army, navy and RAF, as well as various civic dignitaries including the Deacon-Convener of the Trades of Glasgow, the Town Clerk and the City Chamberlain.
Lord Provost James Welsh (Image: Glasgow City Archives)
As part of the ceremony, Lord Provost James Welsh addressed the crowd. First and foremost, he paid tribute to the three fighting services and their auxiliaries.
However, he also looked to acknowledge those who had worked to protect Glasgow's citizens and who had attempted to mitigate war damage on the home front.
These included the Civil Defence Department of Glasgow Corporation; the police; the National Fire Service, the Observer Corps and the Voluntary Services.
Welsh's remarks acknowledged the role Glasgow's industry had played in producing vital ships and munitions for the war effort.
However, his speech also held a note of caution as he asked jubilant citizens to remember that 'our kith and kin are still enduring the hardships and dangers of War in the East.'
What are your memories of the VE Day celebrations in Glasgow? Email or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
