VE Day: County borough celebrates and remembers

Street parties, albeit socially distanced ones, are being held across Caerphilly County Borough today to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

A two-minute silence will unite the nation at 11am today.

As part of a UK VE Day celebrations, the RAF will fly a Typhoon jet over Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, reaching speeds of 350mph. In London, the Red Arrows will be spotted in the skies.

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has encouraged the country to “draw inspiration of those who lived through the Second World War, to help us deal with our own unique piece of history”.

World War II veteran Ronald Jones, from Newbridge, will be one of those marking the occassion.

Mr Jones, 96, was called up to the army when he was 19-years-old and was a member of the Second Platoon 17th Field Company Royal Engineers.

This unit was part of the 185 Brigade, which was one of the three brigades that made up the Third British Infantry Division, which spearheaded the D-Day operation.

Last year he travelled to Normandy to take part in the 75th commemoration of D-Day.

Earlier this week, Mr Jones received a call from First Minister Mark Drakeford.

He was one of several veterans to received such calls.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Speaking with all veterans this week and listening to their extraordinary accounts of torpedo attacks and near misses, brought home the incredible grit and determination of an entire generation who lived through the Second World War.

“All of us can look to them for inspiration, to help us deal with our own unique piece of history.

“I want to thank each and every person across the Commonwealth who battled fascism and helped to build the foundations of a society, which we all benefit from today.

“Coronavirus means we must celebrate VE Day in our own homes, but it will not change our determination to pay our tributes. At 11am let’s stand still, fall silent and remember all those who lived, and those who sadly lost their lives for us.”

Antony Metcalfe, Area Manager Wales for The Royal British Legion said: “As we face some of the most challenging times since the Second World War, now more than ever it is important to unite in recognition of people’s service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago.

“There is no right or wrong way to take part in the silence at 11am – some people may wish to stand at their windows or step outside their front door, but we hope individuals and families in Wales will embrace the opportunity to share in a national moment of reflection.

“Then later on, we invite people to open their windows wide and join us to celebrate and give thanks as we singalong to Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime classic, We’ll Meet Again, which has added poignancy in the current circumstances.

“There are many parallels between the struggles of the Second World War and what we are going through today.

“As we mark 75 years since Victory in Europe, we look to our Second World War generation to learn from their experiences, and the Legion continues our critical work to protect them from the threat we currently face.”

VE Day 1945 marked the end of hostilities in Europe with the unconditional surrender of the Nazis. The Second World War would continue until later that year until the surrender of Imperial Japan. This is marked on August 15 with Victory in Japan Day.

We would love to feature photos of residents celebrating VE Day – send us your pictures to rhys@caerphilly.observer