MANCHESTER’S

Thomas was the first baby born in Manchester on VE Day – and his middle names, Victor and Edward, are a reminder of his special birthday. Here, he reveals what sharing such a famous date means to him...

I am extremely proud of being born on VE Day. My mum, Margaret, told me she went into labour the day before, when everyone was preparing for a party outside the house.

I was born one or two minutes after midnight on the day itself, I just made it!

I weighed 10lb 5oz. I was so big the nurse said Hitler must have known I was coming! Mum held me in her arms as she watched the bonfires and the dancing in the streets with my older sisters.

We lived on Wendover Road, in Urmston, Greater Manchester. My parents had a five-bedroom house with a big cellar where they used to go when the sirens went. I remember