All these VE Day stories were first published in the Watford Observer of May 11, 1945

 

The sizes of the Union Jacks flown in the district have been very varied. One very minute one, usually flown on a car bonnet, flew from a window and one very large one covered two thirds of the house where it fluttered.

 

Victory is complete! Chief topic on Wednesday afternoon was: “What won the 2,000 Guineas?”

 

A novel window display was at the drapery and baby linen shop of Heigh’s, 358, St Albans Road (proprietress Mrs Epps), one window being completely occupied with floral decorations. In the centre was a clock set to 3 o’clock and a card announced all takings on Thursday and Friday would be given for the benefit of children in North Watford whose fathers had made the supreme sacrifice.

 

At the Peace Memorial Hospital, patients were allowed visitors on Tuesday afternoon as well as on Wednesday.

 

A resident in Eastbury Road, Oxhey, was unable to get a Russian flag, so determined to have the flags of the “Big Three” in their entirety, he made one. The background was a piece of wood painted red and on it he fastened a real hammer and sickle.

 

Sitting on the pillar box at the corner of Upton Road, Watford, a W.A.A.F., playing a piano accordion, led a crowd in High Street, Watford, in community singing on VE Day. The crowd reached surprising dimensions and held up the traffic for a time.

 

Heard at the Cassiobury Park entrance on VE Day, Mother giving her small children their final briefing: “Now you all know where you live if you get lost, don’t you?”

 

The somewhat riotous frivolity which took place outside the Watford Town Hall on Tuesday came to an unfortunate climax when a young ATS girl fell from the top of the lamp standard in the centre of the Watford roundabout and sustained serious injuries. It appears the girl had climbed the standard as the result of a challenge offered by a serviceman already perched on top. The girl was conveyed to the Peace Memorial Hospital suffering from concussion and suspected injuries to the spine and ribs.

 

The residents of a bungalow in St Albans Road, Garston, had the novel idea of treating a weather vane, the fin of which had the letter “V” in the prongs of which was the familiar likeness of Mr Winston Churchill, replete with cigar.

 

At Nash Mills a crimson flag, with a big swastika in the centre, was laid in the road and stamped upon by scores of children. It was later placed on the bonfire. The flag was brought home by Cpl A Manchester, of the Royal Engineers, who took it from a prominent building in a town in Germany.

 

Several people noticed the significance of the name of the film advertised at the Rex Cinema, Berkhamsted, on VE Day evening, especially when they saw others already celebrating. The name was: “And Now Tomorrow”.

 

The police were delighted with the manner in which the huge Watford crowds conducted themselves throughout the celebrations. “Everything went off very smoothly and there was no major damage,” Supt H Bateman told the Observer.