Eighty years ago, the inhabitants of Ferryhill, along with the rest of the country, were waiting to hear that the war in Europe was over and that after five long years, the men fighting there would be coming home.
One of those waiting was 11 year old Alice Thompson, a pupil in her final year at Dean Bank Girls School.
On 7 May 1945, Alice and her classmates were asked to write an essay about ‘Waiting for V.E. Day’.
This is what she wrote:
‘The V.E. day that most people are waiting for so expectantly does not mean total victory over both the Nazis and the Japanese. It means “Victory in Europe”. On September 3rd 1939 the greatest world war began. We began to be rationed and we had to carry our gas masks (wherever) we went. Now the war has been on more than five years. The news that has come lately has given us liberty to expect V.E. day any time.
‘Everybody, I think, is making some kind of arrangement for the great day. Sometimes there is a tenseness in the air. It is all excitement but it is quiet. People are buying flags of the United Kingdoms and some, with red, white and blue ribbons, are decorating their homes.
‘I have not been able to buy a flag but I have managed to buy a Union Jack handkerchief and a badge. Many towns and villages are going to celebrate by songs and bonfires. All the children are excited by the good news and the prospect of a treat.
‘In the evacuees’ lives it will make a difference for they will soon be able to go back to their own homes. Great Britain, I am sure, is proud of her brave fighting men and will greet them with great joy when they are able to come back across the seas.’
The following week the children were asked to write a composition on “How I celebrated V.E. Day”. We will publish Alice’s essay next week.
Alice was born in 1933.
When the war began, she was living with her parents and sister in Sevenoaks Kent.
By 1945, Alice was living with her grandfather, Thomas Ellwood and aunt Alice Ellwood at 4 Owen Street, Dean Bank, possibly with her sister, perhaps as unofficial evacuees.
In 1944, Alice wrote that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.
She did become a teacher, ending her career as a senior mistress of Landsdowne Comprehensive School, Coxhoe.
She was also a respected local historian, spending many hours studying the history of Ferryhill and creating a considerable body of work that she donated to Ferryhill History Society.
Thanks to Linda Geldart from the society for sharing Alice’s story with us.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
