VE Day!

As we remember VE Day memories are flooding in. I was very young, eight I think. And I was not at home. I had been sent to a convalescent home to recover from a very bad attack of measles. Being sent away to the seaside sounds like a good idea but I was extremely miserable. I was one of the youngest children there and very weak. When the idea of my going alone to the seaside was first discussed it was odd. I was led to think it was going to be wonderful. I would regain my strength and return home fit and healthy. I can’t remember how long I stayed there but I do remember how unhappy I was. I had no friends and as the youngest child there I felt totally lost. VE day passed in a haze of excitement. Everyone seemed happy....I had no idea why. It all added to the strangeness and the feeling of isolation. I suppose sending sick children away to the seaside sounded a good idea at the time but I hated every moment of it and the VE Day celebrations were lost on me. I was there for two weeks. On returning home I have never felt so glad to be back with my family...even my brother John. My dad was still in the army...he didn’t come home for a long time because he was a sergeant Major and was helping with the demob process. He came home on leave briefly after VE Day. It was a disjointed occasion...with me and my brother still weak and my mother still working. Hearing about the joy on VE Day brings it all back. and for me it wasn’t good.