Bournemouth, Culture | Posted on May 8th, 2025 | return to news
Care home residents in Tuckton and Bournemouth reflect on VE Day
Residents at Wickmeads and Talbot View care homes recall the events of 8 May 1945, when war in Europe came to an end.
With today marking the 80th anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe, residents at a Bournemouth care home have been recalling their memories of 8 May 1945.
During the Second World War, Sadie, who lives in Care South’s Wickmeads care home in Tuckton, remembers living in London and being evacuated to Northampton.
She said: “I’d never been to the countryside before. At the start of the train journey, some children cried but by the time we got there, we were all having a lot of fun. As refugees, we could only go to school for a half-a-day as the schools didn’t have space for us as well as the pupils they already had.”
Sadie eventually went home to live with her mum and two brothers. She remembers going to Hyde Park in London to watch the victory parade. “Everybody was there. You couldn’t be in a better place. I was sitting on the side of the road as the military parade came through. It was a wonderful feeling.”
Chris, who lives in Talbot View care home in Ensbury Avenue, also remembers the feeling of excitement on hearing that the war was over in Europe. She said: “The atmosphere was full of excitement. Everybody was happy. We had very little food because of rationing but people would use whatever they had to make a meal and share it.”
Wickmeads will host an event where the residents will share memories and learn about some facts and myths from WWII on Friday 9 May from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Talbot View residents will be enjoying live music with staff dressed in VE Day-themed clothing from 11am. Both events are open to the local community, with a particular focus on welcoming local veterans who like to remember the time with others who experienced it.
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