93-year-old Irene from Deeping St James takes a trip down memory lane to recall VE Day celebrations in Crowland
A 93-year-old woman has looked back at a town’s VE Day celebration and recalls the hope of peace it brought to families after five long years of war.
Irene Beeken, of Deeping St James was a teenager when bunting and flags were hung along the streets of Crowland to celebrate the end of the Second World War.
Today (Thursday, May 8) marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe), however residents across the district have been encouraged to celebrate by hosting street parties and events.
At 93-years-old Irene can still remember details of the special day in 1945. She said: “I was about 14 or 15 years old when the celebration for VE Day happened in Crowland.
“There were flags and bunting along the streets, lots of people in the community attended and everybody was joyful.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, we all had laughs and fun. It was something different and everyone was so pleased to be free from Hitler.”
Irene attended the celebration with her family and friends, who all danced in the street and played instruments such as the drums, trumpets and accordions, whilst wearing costumes and outfits from the entertainment theatre.
Residents couldn’t wait to welcome back relatives and loved ones who served in the Second World War.
One of Irene’s sisters served in the Royal Air Force and two of her brothers also joined the army – her eldest sibling fought Japan in Burma.
“We were so pleased it was over and everyone was looking forward to seeing the chaps come back home – we hoped for peace.” she added.
“The celebrations went into the night and everyone was dancing and singing – if people weren't outside we soon got them to join in.
“You had to make your own entertainment in those days and everyone was jolly because the pubs were open.”
Growing up, Irene described rationing as ‘awful’ and due to her age, would often be turned away from shops to let the younger children collect their food first.
During this time her education was also interrupted due to air-raid sirens, she added: “If you were in school when the siren went off, there were seven shelters each class had to go to.
“They were made of concrete, had no heating, drinks or toilet and there was one wooden bench to sit on.
“If the all clear hadn’t passed by lunch and your mother hadn’t come to collect you, you would stay there.
“My education was very badly interrupted – we had such different lives compared to youngsters nowadays.”
After she left school aged 14, Irene went on to work at an accountancy firm in Peterborough and as a clerk at Crowland Post Office – but said she would have loved to become a teacher through higher education.
