RAF veteran recalls childhood memories of VE Day 1945 in Stoke-on-Trent
A veteran from Stoke-on-Trent has shared his memories of VE Day celebrations in 1945.
Former RAF engineer, William 'Bill' Rockey, 93, was 13 on VE Day but remembers the celebrations in Stoke-on-Trent when the end of WWII in Europe was declared.
Bill was born near Sandyford, at Line Houses, and is now a member of the Tri Service and Veterans Support Centre based in Newcastle and shared his story along with former RAF medic, Gordon Steel, 88, from Stafford.
Today marks 80 years since Germany officially surrendered to the Allies on 8 May 1945, and the news was greeted with celebrations across the UK and the world.
Bill said: "I was out playing with the other children from the street.
"I think we were playing with an old washing line as a skipping rope, when the adults started to come out of the house saying the war was over."
"There were obviously no phones or internet at that time and I guess they got the news through the radio.
"I just remember one of the neighbours coming out with an accordion and everyone singing and dancing."
Bill was called up for national service in 1945 where he signed on for five years and four reserve, which included him serving in Germany for two and a half years from 1951.
Gordon was nine years old on VE Day and remembers it well.
Gordon said: "I think it was in the evening when the news that the war had ended filtered through to our street.
"I just remember people cheering, singing and dancing on the streets, which went on for a few hours.
"The following day we had a street party where the celebrations continued.
"It was a historic day and an important anniversary to celebrate, as we don't want any more wars."
For months after VE Day in 1945, war continued to wage in the Asia-Pacific region and only came to an end after two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Victory over Japan Day, VJ Day, will be marked on 15 August.
Watch the full video by Staffordshire County Council here.
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READ: VE Day events in and around Stoke-on-Trent this week
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