When Lieutenant General Percival surrendered Singapore to the Imperial Japanese Army at 17.15 on 15 February 1942, he sealed the fate of thousands. The Fall of Singapore represented the collapse of the British influence in South East Asia.
I haven’t been able to establish the true figures of soldiers captured, but it was around 85,000. This number was made up of British, Australian, Indian and local Malayan volunteers as well as others from the Commonwealth. I am not going into the details of the battle or the outcomes in these articles, but rather concentrate what happened at the end.
I was always under the impression that although VJ day took place, there weren’t the celebrations that took place like those on VE day, how wrong I was. Yes, they were the forgotten army the men and woman who served in India, Burma and elsewhere in South East Asia, but far from forgotten by their family and friends. The parties may not have been on the scale as VE day, but there were plenty.
From my research I found the following newspaper reports from around the county. As we are working from home in lockdown while I put this blog together, I haven’t been able to access the newspapers for Hexham and the west of the county. So I apologise for not being able to give a full picture. Here are the stories that I did find:
According to the Blyth News [30/08/1945]:
One can understand that following the end of the War in Europe and Japan that people would throw prudence to the wind and make the most of it; but surprisingly the conduct of the county is commendable. In fact the Chief Constable for the County reported that in the whole county only three people were proceeded against for drunkenness and there was one report of serious damage to property in Berwick. There was an easy explanation for the latter. A Royal Marine driver, who was conveying an aircraft fuselage, drove around a number of side streets in Berwick on the night of VJ Day, looking for lodgings. However; the high tail of the plane stripped the Berwick streets of their bunting. At the end of his journey that night he had stripped that much bunting that you could fill four large sacks. There was some minor damage where townsfolk stripped railings from various places to fuel the bonfires that were lit to mark the day. On the whole the county people celebrated with common sense and dignity.
This was in contrast to what happened across the water in San Francisco, which must be described as the wildest party ever at the time. Three thousand police were required to subdue the celebrations which turned in to riots and a state of emergency was declared. Several people were killed and over 600 injured. Many liquor shops were looted and cars overturned then set on fire.
So what happened in Northumberland?
Well there was much rejoicing in Branxton, the village was gaily decorated with flags. A dance was held in the village hall and a bonfire lit. Mr and Mrs Fleming gave a children’s party in Crookham and, in Scremerston, there was a party along the lines of the VE day celebrations. The local brass band paraded to the church playing music during the thanksgiving ceremony. The children had a tea party in the hall, as believe it or not, the weather wasn’t conducive to having an outdoors party. There were games played and a victory dance held in the evening, with the entertainment supplied by Smallmans Band. A large bonfire was lit in the adjoining recreation ground with fireworks.
In Berwick, bonfires were lit in the ‘Stanks’. Spectators joined hands in wide circles and danced around the fires. A large fire was lit in front of the Town Hall and wasn’t allowed to go out. All day fresh supplies of materials were collected to keep it going. There were no people dancing due to the constant rain.
In Tweedmouth, the sky was lit up by the bonfires. Fireworks were set off in red, white and blue colours. For three nights in a row the people of Kiln Hill were out until late, dancing. On the Friday and Saturday there were open air dances in Blakewell Gardens and, at the end of Riverside Road, there was a bonfire the size of the town. The people of Sunnyside Crescent and Farm Road held a Victory party on the Monday, a fancy dress completion was held. Tea, lemonade, ice cream and sweets were provided for the children and a sum of £4 was raised for the Welcome Home Fund, through the sale of knitted goods made by the women of the estate.
Spittal held their victory party in the Main Street and there was a procession of nearly 170 children and grown ups led by Mr Henry Johnson, dressed as John Bull. The children’s tea party was held in St John’s School, where they were fed jelly and ice cream. When they left they were all given a shilling and a ride on Mr Stewart’s ponies along Sea Road and back. The Meadows Tea party was held at the Tennis Pavilion and was mainly organised by the children.
Further south in the county, The Peoples Park in Ashington had a floodlit VJ Day night. The light provided by the rich warm glow of the enormous bonfire provided by the Town Council. There was no pleasing some people though as one man was over heard saying “Noo a couple of councillors strung up on top o that lot, wad be just reet!”
In Morpeth, the children from Staithes Lane, Wellwood Gardens, Gas House Lane and Corporation Yard held their victory Tea Party in the Castle School, Castle Square. Each child received threepence from the Mayor. The children of St Mary’s Field held their party in Proctors Field. They had children’s sports followed by a lovely tea of sandwiches, sausage rolls, and cakes. Afterwards the tables were cleared for more games and Myrna Rutter sang two well known choruses. At the end each child was given some money by the Mayor. In the evening a victory dance was held and there was a sprinkling of HM Forces uniforms to add to those of the ladies in their gay dresses. The assembled crowd gave a loud rendition of the national anthem to bring the days festivities to a close.
Up on Stobhillgate there were children and adult sports races with refreshments and a dance at night. The residents of 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues held their victory Tea on the Saturday which was attended by 108 children and 20 older residents. Each child received sixpence from funds and a further threepence from the Mayor and another threepence from Mrs G Stevenson of Stobhillgate. The music for the dance was arranged by Mr B. Slaughter and his orchestra.
At Blyth, there was a victory firework display on the Promenade. Although the weather was cool decent crowds gathered round the bandstand under floodlighting and some dancing took place. There was music for all tastes, rollicking choruses for the oldies, waltzes for the married and hot swing for the teens. Twelve dozen rockets were set off and chants for more were heard when it was planned to end the celebrations.
Across in Bedlington, to commemorate the defeat of Japan celebrations were held in several streets in the form of the usual street tea parties, sports and dancing. At Ravensworth Terrace, Bedlington Station there was a fancy dress parade with prizes for the best costumes. First place went to Mr C. Hunter who went as Carmen Miranda. After their tea and sports the children were give 1s 6d, bag of sweets and a treat to the cinema. The older residents got two shillings.
Fear of poor weather for the people of Queens Road, Albert Road and Palace Road meant they held their party in Clayton Hall. The Victory cake was cut by Captain Walter Russell. This event was well attended, 80 kids and 170 adults.
Whilst across in Woodhorn, the colliery air raid shelter was converted into a dinning hall and children from the village and residents from the Aged People Houses held a tea party. The shelter was decorated with the flags of the Allies, bunting and flowers; the music was supplied by a wireless [radio]. After the speeches the old people got two shillings 6d. For those not able to attend had their tea taken to them, the day ended with a whist drive and a huge bonfire display.
