(One of a series of weekday posts on the life of Winston S. Churchill.)
Today a few of Winston Churchill’s May 8, 1945 V- E Day recollections.
But they’re not the recollections of a great war leader and statesman. They’re really the sort of recollections you’d expect from someone who at the time was bright, aware and almost five years old. And that’s just what they are.
Churchill’s grandson and namesake recalls:
At last the war was over. V-E Day was a day which none of my generation will ever forget. Following the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies on 8 May 1945, the entire British nation, after more than five long years of war, launched into a great and spontaneous celebration of victory._________________________________________
Aged four and a half, waving my paper Union Jack on a stick and with my hand firmly held by [my nanny,] “Mrs. M.”, I joined the half-million strong crowd that gathered outside Buckingham Palace on that joyful day.
I was not in the least surprised to see Grandpapa appear on the balcony with King George VI, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family, as we all cheered them to the echo.
What could be more natural? I always knew he was the most important Grandpapa in the whole world.
Winston S. Churchill, Memories and Adventures. (Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson) (pg. 34)
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