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Metro
08-05-2025
- General
- Metro
The centuries-long Navy rum tradition the Wrens were allowed to join on VE Day
Something unheard of happened in Mabel Kidney's Navy barracks on May 8 1945 – she was given rum. The Women's Navy veteran had never had a lick of the alcohol in her life before VE Day 1945. But that all changed at the end of the Second World War, when she and her fellow Wrens participated in a renowned Navy tradition. Mabel had joined the Women's Royal Naval Service, affectionately called the Wrens, when she was just 17. 'I felt I had to do something to help the war effort,' the now 99-year-old told Metro. 'I came from a Navy family, joining the Navy is what you did.' Her life during the war had not been easy as a young teenager. Mabel's hometown of Fratton was mercilessly targeted by the Germans looking to destroy a nearby dockyard before she moved to HMS Daedalus barracks in Lee-on-the-Solent. When the whole country was going mad with celebration on May 8 1945, the vibe was different to begin with in her Navy barracks. On the day Germany formally surrendered, HMS Daedalus was 'eerily quiet'. She added: 'There was nobody out. 'We were all relieved more than anything else, because you never knew what Hitler was going to do next. Everybody felt relieved.' Mabel's role was in the canteen and it was during food service when she was allowed to do something they had never done before – drink with the men. It might seem unusual now, but sailors in the Royal Navy had a daily allowance of rum, called a 'tot' and equivalent to about two shots. But on special celebratory occasions, the order was given to 'splice the mainbrace' and extra tot of rum was handed out. And on the day of national celebrations, VE Day 1945, Wren's were allowed to get in on the fun. 'The Chief Wren put a mug on the counter for each of the sailors as they came along. 'Then the Wrens were given a tot of rum too. We had to split it between four of us. 'That was the first time I had rum, that day. We knew there was not going to be war on our land anymore.' The day did then unsurprisingly pick up after that first alcohol beverage. She remembers how 'you got drawn into a crowd wherever you were' in Portsmouth. The veteran left the Wrens soon after, but ended up marrying a Navy sailor. She now lives at Admiral Jellicoe House care home run by The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust. Mabel recalled to Metro how she witnessed the wild VE Day scenes from London on TV and radio. 'It was madness. Half were naked, half did not know what they were doing. 'There were sailors and servicemen with other countries, all mixed up there. Everybody was kissing and cuddling everybody.' Joining the unhinged celebrations on that day, but from half way around the world, was D-Day hero John Roberts. Now a 101-year-old Rear Admiral, the then 21 Sub-Lieutenant was in Montreal, Canada, when news of Germany's surrender in Europe spread. John had been in one of the support ships for the Normandy landings, bombarding Sword Beach before the invasion began. But he was in Canada training to be a pilot when all hell broke loose in Montreal – and when a fire engine swooped by at the perfect moment. He told Metro: 'For two or three months we could all tell the Germans were getting beaten. I knew it was going to end quite soon. 'But when it came, Montreal was just as excited as London was. 'I hopped on a fire engine and I went around the town on it. 'Thousands of people were on the streets – all pointing and laughing at us. 'The firemen were happy we were celebrating with them. It was a great day.' John and his other fellow Navy mates rode the fire engine for about 15 minutes when they were eventually kicked off. The fun did not stop there, John added: 'I think we then went to the nearest bar. 'During the week when we were flying we did not drink at all, but being from abroad we had more coupons than other people.' It might all seem like joyous celebration, but the World War Two veteran was actually very melancholy at points too. 'On VE Day I was very conscious of the numbers of people who lost their lives. Many people were sad, they could have lost a husband or a father.' John himself witnessed an Norwegian destroyer be torpedoed before his very eyes during the D-Day landings, when half the ship's crew died. He had an very close shave too: 'Soon after that we received a signal that a torpedo was approaching our ship, so we all braced ourselves, which meant that we bent our knees to absorb the shock of the impact.' But the missile missed, and John was alive to think of fallen friends at the end of the war. After the mixed emotions of that day, he was back to base shortly after to prepare to fight the Japanese. The Allies battle against the Japanese Empire lasted three more months, until they surrendered in August 1945. John stayed in the Navy until April 1978, by which time he had become Captain of the Ark Royal and had been promoted to Rear-Admiral. The 101-year-old has regularly returned to the scenes of his former battles through the work of the Royal British Legion. More Trending The charity runs countless events for veterans, and their Tea Party at the National Memorial Arboretum is likely to be the largest gathering of Second World War veterans on VE Day. Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, said: 'This is one of the last chances the nation will have to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, and to thank the small number of veterans still with us today. 'Victory would not have been possible without the contribution of Allied Forces from the Commonwealth and beyond. 'By bringing the nation together to celebrate the entire Second World War generation on this momentous occasion, we can hear their stories and learn more about how that diversity of contribution from Commonwealth countries led to Victory in Europe.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: VE Day 1945 live: World wakes up to victory after Germany surrenders to the Allies MORE: I lived in a post-war 'flatpack' home – prefabs were built for heroes MORE: How the royals celebrated VE Day back in 1945
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'The lights came on again all over York' - incredible photos of York on VE Day
'The lights came on again all over York' - incredible photos of York on VE Day Photograph taken by TE BEAN of Lendal Bridge lit up to mark VE Day VE Day1945: 'The lights came on again all over York' - peace was here at last, writes MAXINE GORDON LENDAL Bridge in lights, Union flags flying in Goodramgate, street parties across the city. This is how York looked on VE Day - 80 years ago today. Our archive photos take us back to that time, when the hardship and heartache of six years of war came to an end. In Europe at least. Celebrating VE Day in York - lights on Lendal Bridge and flags in Goodramgate It would be several more weeks until Japan surrendered and the Second World War was truly and finally over. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This meant the end of living in fear of bombs falling on York, of having to take cover in air raid shelters, of life on hold. One of the first big changes people in York witnessed was light at night. Streetlights came on again and people ditched their dark blackout curtains. As one of our photos shows, Lendal Bridge was lit up at night. It felt like a festival or carnival. Something special - a new bright world, far removed from the dark hours of wartime. As Victory in Europe was claimed, hundreds assembled in Exhibition Square in the centre of York. VE Day party in Clement Street, York They sang and danced and anyone, man or woman in uniform, was an instant hero. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement People recall linking arms and singing the Lambeth Walk, forming a conga line; there was laughter, and singing. Life could start again. Share your nostalgia memories If you love delving into York's past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don't miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper. We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York - Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It would be great to see your old photos of York - and they don't have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
07-05-2025
- General
Aberaeron hoists flag as it prepares to mark VE Day
The main event is a Commemoration and Celebration "Not Forgetting the Unforgotten" when townsfolk, guests, the emergency services, RNLI and WI will come together at 5.30pm on Thursday, to hear how life was in Aberaeron on VE Day 1945 and honour those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
