On 8 May 2025 we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V.E. Day). Exploring NRS archives we find out how Scotland celebrated the end of hostilities in Europe.
VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London, 1945. Crown copyright, NRS, NSC1/394/34.
Planning for victory and code name “MOUSETRAP”
The UK government began to discuss the possibilities of “Ceasefire Day” in late 1944. The Allies had successfully invaded Normandy in June 1944 and liberated Paris. By August of the same year it was clear that the Second World War was moving into its final and decisive stage.
Six years of conflict had taken a heavy toll on the people of the UK. The Government needed an appropriate celebration to mark the end of a conflict that had cost the country so much. The celebration’s importance was reflected in the official put in charge of preparations, the UK’s most senior civil servant, Cabinet Secretary Edward Bridges (1892-1969). Bridges led War Cabinet meetings to discuss and plan how all four nations of the UK would celebrate this momentous event, but also how essential services would be kept running. Officials across the UK and the Commonwealth would be informed that victory was imminent by receiving messages codenamed ‘Mousetrap’.
The ”MOUSETRAP” message is mentioned in this confidential note. Taken from Celebration of the Termination of Organised Hostilities in Europe (V.E. Day): Arrangements. Crown copyright, NRS, HH50/137.
Taken from Scottish Government files on the Second World War (NRS, HH50) this confidential note of a meeting of the Heads of Departments at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh, details actions needed to inform local authorities of the proposed arrangements for the day of victory. It also confirms that the ‘Mousetrap’ message was received at the Scottish Office, then located in Fielden House, Westminster. There were special instructions as to where bonfires could be lit safely and that only wood with no salvage value should be used.
The cabinet circular number 5989 outlining the festivities includes fascinating details of how people should, and should not, celebrate. There was much discussion on whether places of entertainment and public houses should have extended licences. The latter would mostly not be needed, as many pubs had closed in the afternoon, having been drunk dry by revellers.
While Edward Bridges was the architect of the plans to celebrate the end of the conflict, Prime Minister Winston Churchill decided that the name ‘Ceasefire Day’ would be inappropriate due to the conflict in the Pacific still being ongoing. The term ‘Victory in Europe’ or VE Day was coined instead.
Circular 5989, Celebration of the Termination of Organised Hostilities in Europe (V.E. Day): Arrangements. Crown copyright, NRS, HH50/137.
The focus was on religious Thanksgiving Services which would take place in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast on the Sunday after VE Day. However, many local services were also held on the morning of 8 May. A prominent thanksgiving service also occurred on 16 May 1945 at St Giles in Edinburgh. The King and members of the Royal Family attended, along with an illustrious list of dignitaries and service personnel:
List of attendees of the Service of Thanksgiving on 16 May 1945 at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. NRS, HH50/136
Throughout the early spring of 1945, the British public eagerly anticipated the allies’ victory; street parties were planned and flags on sale for some time before the German surrender.
Press and radio reports on 7 May affirmed that an announcement of Victory was imminent. The presence of loud speakers which had been put in place in public parks and thoroughfares by local authorities also contributed to the rumours of a coming address, from the King or Churchill, of Germany’s surrender. People eager to hear of the end of the ‘second great war’ began to decorate their homes with bunting and festooned buildings with flags. The construction of Hitler effigies and bonfires at the end of residential streets started. While the allies had accepted the official surrender of Nazi Germany on 7 May, the official announcement of peace in Europe was not made until the following morning.
Children of Hawick proudly gather around their Hitler effigy and bonfire before it is lit on VE Day. Image with kind permission of Fiona Short, copyright owner.
The events of VE Day
The morning of Tuesday 8 May 1945 was wet in many places in Britain, including in large parts of Scotland. Non-essential businesses were encouraged to close for the day and official public holidays were declared for 8 and 9 May (known as VE Day and VE Day + 1). However this two-day public holiday, was not deemed a Bank Holiday and bank employees were expected to attend work as normal.
Church bells - which had been silent for much of the war - rang out across Scotland and in the afternoon the celebrations truly got underway. At 3 pm, the announcement that the whole country had been waiting for was made; Prime Minister, Winston Churchill told the nation and commonwealth of Germany’s unconditional surrender and the end of hostilities in Europe. His distinctive voice was heard in homes across the nation, and people gathered together in parks and city centres to hear the speech on loud speakers installed for the event.
Crowds gathered at the Mercat Cross and streets of Edinburgh. Members of the forces climbed the Duke of Wellington outside Register House [now General Register House] in Edinburgh. The Scotsman, 9 May 1945. Image © National World Publishing Ltd.
William Paton, a miner from Stoneyburn, West Lothian wrote in his diary that:
"It was a day of great rejoicing in every town and
village in Britain and many stirring scenes
were witnessed."
Diary of William Paton, 8 May 1945. NRAS4107/10. With kind permission from the owner.
Back in Edinburgh, the Mercat Cross, a short distance from St Giles Cathedral, was also a focus point for thanksgiving. It was here in 1588, that the end of the Spanish Armada was announced and prayers given in thanks. On this spot on VE Day Lord Provost Falconer announced to the surrounding crowd the end of hostilities in Europe. The Dean of the Thistle gave thanks and read the 76th Psalm, which had also been part of the service in 1588.
Large crowds gathered in George Square in Glasgow, the focal point for festivities in the city. People young and old sang and danced in front of the City Chambers. The night before “electricians were busy fitting fairy lights to the trees in the Square” and the flood lights were switched on to illuminate the city’s magnificent buildings. After years of wartime blackouts, Glasgow sparkled.
Angus McMillan (1909-1993), a Scot who had joined the Royal Artillery and was stationed in Preston during the end of the Second World War wrote of his experiences during VE Day in his diary:
"Tuesday 8th May 1945
Up about 0945 hrs… I had a walk around Preston, which was very busy, and had a holiday atmosphere. Fireworks continually banging. Many people were engaged in putting up flags, decorations, etc. About 11.00 hrs., started to rain heavily."
After lunch and changing into his ‘civvies’ McMillan takes a bus into Blackpool and describes the scenes there:
"Blackpool was bright, warm, sunny, and very busy. Crowds of singing or dancing drunks were not infrequent.. Bells were pealing in the Church of the Sacred Heart, much as I heard from St John’s, Preston at 11.00 hrs. today…. I saw a Pipe Band in kilts led by a female Drum Major, with her swinging staff."
Pages from Angus McMillan’s diary for 8 May 1945. NRS, GD474/1/61
McMillan returns to Preston for dinner and notes:
"Listened to a Naval Band in the Market Place. Dance music was also being broadcast, while drunks and semi-drunks tried to caper in the crowded Market Square… which was a mass of humanity… I always think a drunken crowd besides looking silly, smells badly. The market Place was gaily lit with coloured lights. The Harris Museum, the County Buildings, and the War Memorial (1914-1918) were floodlit… It was a night of bonfires, banners, bunting, bangs, and booze… I left the Market square to the blaring of “God Save Our King” about 00.05 hrs (9.5.45). The crowds continued for hours later, though some of the lights went out. I was first home. Had supper, and was soon in bed and asleep, so ended “V.E. Day”."
Similar scenes of merriment could be found across Britain. Dance music was played through loud speakers in the streets and people took part in congas or danced the jitterbug with newly made friends. Searchlights made Victory signals in the sky, public buildings were illuminated, and shop windows decorated with victory displays were aglow for the first time in nearly six years. This sudden blaze of light was said to have scared some children, who were used to streets being in darkness.
At 9 o’clock in the evening, the King (George VI) spoke to ‘his peoples throughout the world’ and people in the streets fell silent as they listened to his address through the installed loud speakers and at home on the wireless. (Home office circular, No. 97/1945, NRS, CAB78/33). In his speech, the King spoke of the people resolve in the face of bombing and acknowledged those who had lost their lives in the war. He said the mission ahead was to restore to ‘our own country after the ravages of war and in helping to restore peace’ lay ahead. He continued:
‘This comes upon us at a time when we have all given of our best. For five long years and more, heart and brain, nerve and muscle have been directed upon the overthrow of Nazi tyranny. Now we turn, fortified by success, to deal with our last remaining foe. The Queen and I know the ordeals which you have endured throughout the commonwealth and empire’.
Although most of the nation was caught up in the festivities, there were those who stayed at home, remembering loved ones lost during the war. There were also new lives coming in to the world. Babies born on or around VE Day were given suitably patriotic names; ‘Victoria Winifred Churchill Bain’ and ‘Joseph Winston Rodger’ were both born on 8 May 1945 in Elgin and Dumfries respectively. Weddings also took place on this momentous day. You can learn more about couples married on VE Day and how they celebrated by reading the Scotland’s People article ‘VE Day Weddings’.
The following day, known as VE Day + 1, was also a public holiday. Some people may have been nursing a headache, but nevertheless the festivities continued. In Newburgh, Perthshire there was a thanksgiving service in St Katherine’s Church and at “10 p.m. a bonfire was lit on Clatchard [Clatchard Craig, iron age fort], where effigies of Hitler and Mussolini were the victims” (Perthshire Advertiser, 12 May 1945).
As Churchill said in his VE Day address: “We may allow ourselves a brief moment of rejoicing; But let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”
VE Day comes to a close
After the bunting was taken down and the street parties cleared up, Britain was still at war with Japan. Day-to-day life did not change dramatically after the two day public holiday. With a significant numbers of troops still fighting in Asia, it would be another long three months before Victory in Japan (VJ Day). The Second World War finally came to a close on 15 August 1945.
VE Day continues to be celebrated across much of Europe and is marked in some countries with public holidays and official ceremonies. This year marks the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. In the UK there will be four days of commemoration held from 5 to 8 May 2025. To find out what events are happening in your area and how you can be involved visit: VE and VJ Day 80.
Resources used
British Newspaper Archive
Imperial War Museum
Scotland’s People
NRS
