Buckie community comes together to mark VE Day milestone 80th anniversary of end of World War II in Europe
Communities came together earlier today at two local events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
Today (May 8) is VE Day and eight decades in 1945 ago the guns finally fell silent on the almost six-year conflict which had raged across Europe and, later, the globe.
In the Buckie area young and old alike joined together to mark the historic anniversary in a variety of ways.
Today began locally with a service of commemoration, remembrance and thanks for all those who served and lived during World War II at the Scottish National Women’s Land Army memorial near Clochan. The site, opened by the then Prince Charles on October 9, 2012, saw the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson among the invited guests at the ceremony. He went on to open the ceremony after welcoming all present.
Also featured during the service were readings from two VE Day eyewitnesses - Charlotte Webb (95), who worked at Britain’s main codebreaking centre at Bletchley Park and Jack Bracewell, who Joined the Army in 1942 aged just 19 before going on to serve as a paratrooper in D-Day. Their testimony was ready by Moray Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson and Louise Simpson respectively.
Near the end of the ceremony wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial.
Over in Buckie, the war memorial was the focus for the town’s commemorations, beginning at midday as the sun shone down on those who came along to honour the anniversary. The square and memorial were bedecked in red white and blue as a VE Day flag flew from Struan House.
Organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion, a wreath-laying party gathered to pay their respects, a two-minute silence being observed at the stroke of noon. A single wreath was laid by local councillor Sonya Warren.
Joining the ceremony, fresh from his duties at Clochan, was Mr Simpson.
There was also an open invitation to the community to come together for refreshments and a light buffet from 12 noon to 3pm at the Legion.
Meanwhile, this afternoon over at Findochty Town Hall, a VE Day tea is taking place from 2pm to 4pm. Run by the team who organise the town hall’s popular weekly pop-up café, proceeds from the event will go to a number of good causes.
Elsewhere in Banffshire, there was a wreath-laying ceremony at the Gordon Highlanders memorial in Keith this morning and later today, at 6.30pm in Keith North Church there will be a piper and special readings.
Seeing out VE Day itself in Banffshire will be the lighting of a beacon on Ben Rinnes at 9.30pm, organised by the Dufftown branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Running until May 19, a poignant display of knitted poppies will be on display in Macduff at the cross and anchor, Myrus cemetery and the war memorial.
On Friday from 6.30pm there will be an event involving local schoolchildren, the Country Quines and many more including Keith Kilt and Textile Centre at Royal British Legion Scotland
Banff Castle Community Centre will be running a VE and Community Showcase Day on the Saturday from 10.45am to 6pm boasting a packed programme of events.
In 1945, the suicide of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler on April 30 saw his successor, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz, authorise Germany’s surrender to the Allies. The act of military surrender was first signed at 2.41am on May 7 in SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) at Reims, with a slightly modified document, considered the definitive German Instrument of Surrender, was signed on May 8 in Karlshorst, Berlin at 10.43pm local time.
In Russia and some former Soviet countries the event is celebrated on May 9, as Germany's unconditional surrender entered into force at 11.01pm on May 8 Central European Summer Time; equating to 12.01am on May 9 in Moscow Time.
The war itself did not finally come to an end until August 15 that year when Japan surrendered.
