In May 2025 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, I posted a feature on the IWFBF and IW Heritage Group pages on Facebook about the celebrations that were held across the Isle of Wight on and just after VE Day, 8 May 1945.The feature was almost entirely structured using a number of extracts from Page 8 of the IW County Press of 12 May 1945, with a few remarks of my own to add clarity.

The feature received a lot of interest so I decided to reproduce it for future readers in this page, with some additional photographs that didn't appear in the original.

At Albany Barracks the men of No.1 Parachute Regiment welcomed the public to attend an attractive programme of events, including C Company’s boxing contest, a gymnastic display by the Airborne APTC, dog racing and sports for children. Willing children were strapped into a parachute harness and lifted from the ground. Many more attractions were freely available culminating in an evening dance in the gymnasium decorated with flags, mini parachutes and evergreens.

Children, vehicles and prams were noted in Ryde for the adornment of flags and streamers and Allied flags were flown from the Town Hall including that of China. Across the street a large, illuminated crown adorned the frontage of the Conservative Club. At War Savings House two minor amendments to the banner proclaiming ‘Every penny you save helps him to settle the score’ read ‘Every penny you saved helped him to settle the score’. At intervals throughout the day ships sirens, hooters and fog horns provided a veritable cacophony, and at night those who stayed out late to see the first coloured lights pierce the darkness for almost six years also witnessed a miniature searchlight display by the ships. An effigy of Hitler wearing a large iron cross was thrown onto the bonfire in Haylands. The mother’s group of Quarry Road arranged a vast table of ‘goodies’ for the children. Licensed premises were full to bursting and those enjoying the extended hours were disappointed as stocks of beer were depleted.

The County Press described the celebrations in the Sandown-Shanklin district as ‘remarkably restrained’ and that the onus of bedecking the town in victory finery fell entirely on the private resources of the residents, and they rose to the occasion with admirable zeal and ingenuity. After darkness many wended their way to admire the floodlit frontage and other illuminations plus a large bonfire on the beach. Dance halls and hostelries were packed with singing and shouting merrymakers. ‘In the absence of any lead from the Council, whose inaction has aroused some criticism, residents in that part of Shanklin in the name of ‘Happy Valley’ pooled their resources to give the children a treat and another Hitler effigy was consigned to the flames.

There was ‘a spirit of quiet rejoicing’ reported in Ventnor. At the Winter Gardens, with just a few hours’ notice, former prisoner of war Pat Whelan and other ex-servicemen formed an ad-hoc orchestra and a popular dance was held.

A gathering outside an unidentified WVS Rest Centre in Newport.

In Cowes scenes reminiscent of the great yachting festivals of pre-war years were enjoyed albeit that the palatial steam and motor yachts were replaced by large transports, tugs and small ships of war that lay at anchor. Crews of each vessel dressed them as gaily as they were able, but ashore the decorations were said to have outstripped anything seen in Regatta week. The whole atmosphere was one of excited expectancy. The residents of Temperance Terrace were noted for the fine repast enjoyed by 50 children at the street party. Cowes was noted for several similar events across the district. Unsurprisingly yet more Hitler’s were torched. A dance arranged by the Council at Northwood House spilled outdoors given the number of attendees.

Albert Street, Cowes

Events at Seaview were less exuberant but respectful of the fallen, but in Shalfleet before burning Hitler he was strung up by the neck! Unfortunate mishandling of a thunderflash in Shorwell caused the loss of a women’s eye. A thanksgiving service was held in Thorley. In Wootton a huge bonfire was built at the gravel pits where, for reasons unexplained, the effigy of Hitler was adorned with a paint pot and brush? His demise was closely followed by the launch of Goering into the fiery mass. Wroxall was noted for its ‘outstanding enthusiasm’, where there was scarcely a house a house without flags and bunting.

Matters were more modest in Rookley but St Helens green was the scene of a hastily arranged sports afternoon followed by the lighting of a ‘mammoth bonfire’ that could be seen for miles around. Such was the scope of the blaze that it was considered too quick a demise to throw the St Helens effigy of Hitler to the flames in whole, so it was systematically dismembered and thrown on piece by piece, each accompanied by cries of enthusiasm. Celebrations on the Green were said to have continued for several days!