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VE Day: Wales marks the 75th anniversary during lockdown

R J Salmon/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) , driving through Trafalgar Square in a service vehicle during the VE Day celebrations in London, 8th May 1945.R J Salmon/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
VE Day marks the end of World War Two in Europe

There may be no street parties or public services, but the people of Wales remembering the sacrifice of a generation.

More than 15,000 Welsh soldiers died during World War Two.

Despite the lockdown, a series of special events are being held for us all to pause, celebrate, and pay thanks to them on the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

So how can you mark the day without leaving the house?

The UK government had moved the traditional early May bank holiday from Monday to Friday 8 May to allow celebrations on the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.

Coronavirus social distancing restrictions mean many public events, including services at cenotaphs, war memorials and churches which were planned to mark the anniversary have been cancelled.

Police have warned people not to have street parties as the restrictions to curb the pandemic continue, but to instead celebrate VE Day in their homes and gardens.

But First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the virus will not stop people remembering, celebrating and being thankful during "this extraordinary time in our own history".

We are being encouraged to pause and reflect, raise a glass, and even have a good old sing-a-long from our homes in honour of those who gave their lives.

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Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images 19th May 1940: A party of schoolchildren wave goodbye from a train window, on a day when ten thousand children were evacuated from London to Monmouth and GlamorganReg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images
Thousands of school children were evacuated from London to Monmouthshire during WWII on 19 May 1940

What is planned on the day?

  • At 11:00 BST there was a nationwide two-minute silence to remember the fallen
  • At 15:00 the BBC will broadcast extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's victory speech to recreate the moment peace in Europe was announced 75 years ago, followed by a speech from Prime Minister Boris Johnson
  • At the same time people will be invited to raise a glass for a toast
  • At 20:00, Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins will feature in a special BBC TV programme on BBC One
  • At 21:00 the Queen will address the nation, in a pre-recorded message broadcast by the BBC, at the exact moment her father King George VI gave a radio address 75 years ago
  • Shortly after you can go to your doorstep or window to join in a mass sing-a-long of We'll Meet Again
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Getty Images American soldiers joining in the VE Day party in 1945Getty Images
American soldiers joining in the VE Day party in 1945

Whether isolating on their own, or with family, people are being encouraged to decorate their homes with bunting and posters to recreate the party atmosphere during lockdown.

The official VE Day website offers ideas for wartime food, music and activities to create a street party in your home, while a template to make special bunting for your windows can be found here.

The BBC's special evening programme will feature Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, actor Adrian Lester and singer Beverley Knight, who will be performing some well-known songs from the 1930s and 40s.

Getty Images Katherine Jenkins performsGetty Images
Katherine Jenkins performs in during a behind-closed-doors VE Day concert at London's Royal Albert Hall

It will culminate in a public sing along of Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, a song synonymous with World War Two.

Last month, the Queen echoed the words of the now 103-year-old singer - known as the Forces' sweetheart - when she told those in lockdown "we will meet again" during a rare speech to the nation.

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What is VE Day?

Getty Images Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the Royal Family (with the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, on the left) on VE Day, 8 May 1945Getty Images
Prime Minister Winston Churchill stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the Royal Family (with the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, on the left) on 8 May 1945

Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 saw Britain and its Allies formally accept Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender after almost six years of war.

At 15:00, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.

Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the country and the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret, ventured out with a group of friends to experience the excitement in London.

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Manchester Daily Express/Getty Images Vera LynnManchester Daily Express/Getty Images
People across the UK are being encouraged to join a mass rendition of Vera Lynn's tune We'll Meet Again

We'll Meet Again

At 21:00, just after the Queen's address to the nation, we are being encouraged to go to our doors, windows, driveways, and gardens for a socially-distanced mass sing-a-long.

But just in case you do not know the words, here are the lyrics to the Vera Lynn classic.

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through, just like you, always do

'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

So will you please say hello, to the folks that I know, tell them I won't be long

They'll be happy to know, that as you saw me go, I was singing this song

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.

(Repeat from the top)

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