Victory Celebrations

This collection of Huthwaite memorabilia extends coverage of our Huthwaite Online War Memorial Project. Assisted by the press clippings sourced by Trev Ashmore, we hope readers can add any fading memories or photographs dating back to these holiday events following welcomed announcements of ending warfare.

Two victorious UK dates were nationally celebrated in the success of allied nations ending World War Two. Full surrender of German forces was marked on 8 May 1945 as Victory in Europe or VE Day. A relieving end to Hitler's war, before greeting final surrender recognised on 15 August 1945 as Victory in Japan or VJ Day.

Presented in local Chad yesteryears by Mr Robert Alcock of Huthwaite is one victory party held behind the Woodend Inn. Trev adds mothers name, recalling his 10 bob VE Day sporting prize on the long and narrow.

Lily Wombwell, Gert Dobb, Winnie Berisford, Evelyn Smith, Madge Lee, Lily Machin, Jessie Brown, Henry Herrod, Gwen Cash, Phillis Bonser, Margery Alcock, Linda North, Cilla Wass, Annie Flowers, Madge Herrod, Mrs Reddington, Mrs Ashley, Mrs Swain, Mrs Ashmore, Margaret Pope, Mrs Hatten, Mrs Machin, Freda Barlow, Annie Hutchinson, Len Wilkinson, Lena Wilkinson, Connie Crompton, Gillian Crompton, Pheobe Ellis, Jack Wilson, Marck Swain, Elsie Wilson, Doris Wilson, Jack Bunting, Edna Sowter, Fred Pope, Jack Hetton, Mr Wilson, Mrs Hutchinson, Albert, 'Tid' Severns, Mr Machin.

Donation by Mrs Mavis Radford magnificently shares a unique grouped scene fronting the past White Swan public house on V-E Day. Sign above names landlord G Poyser, but can anyone still recall attending the occasion or help name anyone present.

Awaiting any finds on how Huthwaite received news of the signed Armistice Treaty which finalised the allies victorious end of World War One on 11 November 1918. Welcomed as that triumphant occasion proudly deserved across allied nations, the devastating toll on human life had also cast sombre family memories.

Before the Great War however, final news of British success on 28 Feb 1900 in the Boer War was joyously met. Reportage on these Huthwaite festivities is transcribed from accounts printed by "Notts. Free Press".

CELEBRATIONS AT HUCKNALL HUTHWAITE The welcome news of the relief of Ladysmith was received at Hucknall Huthwaite with an unusual amount of joy and enthusiasm. The children of the different schools were marched up to the Market place at 12 o'clock on Friday morning, and nearly all the people of Hucknall assembled to sing the National Anthem and join in the cheers which from time to time resounded. The schools were closed for the afternoon. In the evening several gentlemen met, when Mr. A. Taylor proposed that they should give the school children a tea. Mr. G.Farnsworth responded by heading a subscription list, the required sum was quickly promised. The amount collected was such as to provide an unusually good tea, many delicacies being amongs't the good things on the table. Teachers and friends were kept busy for three hours, and upwards of a 1,000 children seated themselves for tea. The arrival of 60 old ladies at six o'clock brought the proceedings to a most pleasant ending. They had come at the request of Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who, in addition to their subscription, had, with their accustomed generosity provided each lady with half a pound of tea. To this was added a loaf and one pound of sugar by the subscribers,thus making a present likely to be remembered. In the absence of Mr. Watson, Master Willie Watson gave this present to the old people.
The whole of the undertakings were under the management of the secretary, Mr. W. Simpson, who was ably assisted by Miss Key, Mr. Goodall, Mr. Garnett, and their staffs of teachers.
In connection with the relief of Ladysmith, the Prize Band played selections in various parts of the village.