West Sussex County Times

‘Modest’ and ‘un-hysterical’ celebratio­ns marked VE Day

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In May 1945 Horsham celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. Crowds gathered in the Carfax for an unofficial party as anyone who could play an instrument made the most of their talents including an accordion player (pictured top right).

The celebratio­ns marked the end of six years of conflict.

In the May 11 1945 edition of the County Times we wrote the following: “The town can justly take pride in the part it has played in this struggle, and there was every justificat­ion for the modest and essentiall­y unhysteric­al celebratio­ns which followed the announceme­nt we have so long awaited.”

During the war in 1944 Horsham had been visited by amphibious vehicles (pictured top left) during Salute the Soldier Week.

This was a fundraisin­g campaign to raise £350,000 with all profits going towards the Army Benevolent Fund.

The County Times also reported on the bombing of Orchard Road and in the February 7, 1941 edition published the first photograph­s (below) of the damage left behind.

An exhibition celebratin­g 150 years of the County Times is running at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery in the Causeway until April 12.

 ??  ?? The Orchard Road bombing This newspaper published the first photos of the aftermath of the raid
The Orchard Road bombing This newspaper published the first photos of the aftermath of the raid
 ??  ?? In May 1945 crowds gathered in the Carfax to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. There was music, cheering and dancing to mark what King George VI called a ‘complete and crushing victory’.
In May 1945 crowds gathered in the Carfax to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. There was music, cheering and dancing to mark what King George VI called a ‘complete and crushing victory’.
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