May 8th 1945 marked a changing point in history. The war in Europe was over and people the length and breadth of the country celebrated. The grieving and remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives did not stop, and never will.
Photographs taken on VE Day 1945 usually show scenes of the mass celebrations in central London. Pictures taken locally are very rare. NPT Council is very grateful to David Roberts from Neath who runs publishing company Bryngold Books, for letting us share these precious photographs.
Photographs from 1945
Henry Street
The war in Europe was over and this is how they celebrated in Henry Street, Neath, May 1945
Longford Road
Residents of Longford Road, Neath Abbey, at a party they held for their children to celebrate VE Day, 1945
Charles Street
The party mood in evidence at Charles Street, Port Talbot in May 1945
Skittle Alley
Residents of Skittle Alley, the nickname given to a narrow street off Water Street, Aberavon, enjoying their VE Day party, May 1945.
The street was near the site of the old Port Talbot Health Centre.
Harriet Eaton who is the Heritage Education Officer at Neath Port Talbot Library Services helped put together the following short video productions which were shown at the annual NPT Armed Forces Festival at the Princess Royal Theatre last November.
They feature the childhood memories of local people who live through the second world war.
We’d like to send sincere thanks to Susan Thomas, Margaret Halfpenny and Alan Currie whose voices feature in the films.
Words of remembrance and tributes from NPT resident Mr Roderick Hughes
NPT resident Roderick Hughes, is an active member of the National Exercise Referral Scheme run by Neath Port Talbot Council. He kindly sent us these words that tell the story of his father’s experience of War and his own experiences of the NHS.