Tuesday 8 May 1945 dawned bright and clear; there was joy and anticipation in the air, for this day was long-awaited. Big Ben struck 3 o'clock and Winston Churchill announced to the people of Britain that there was peace in Europe. The memories of the celebrations and rejoicing come flooding back, not only for those in the armed forces, some of whom were still fighting in the Far East, but also for the civilians who stayed behind. At just 19 years old, HM The Queen had a memorable night-and 40 years on, she has spoken for the first time since that day with Godfrey Talbot about her own unique recollections of VE Day, for it was a time when the people of Britain could forget the austerity and their personal grief and join in the jubilation.
Stewart MacPherson , one of the 14 BBC War Correspondents, remembers 8 May 1945. Producer CAROUNE ELUOT