On the defeat of Germany at the end of the war in Europe, celebrations erupted in Great Britain: more than one million people celebrated in the streets. In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the palace balcony before the cheering crowds.
Locally, in Fareham, Eastleigh and Basingstoke, people took to the streets to celebrate. Not all street parties were on VE Day itself. Parties needed organising, with people coming together and pooling their resources and ration books. It was difficult to do that instantly: with everything in short supply and people competing for supplies, getting it up and running will have been difficult. However, parties were put together and celebrations took place in Hampshire, much like the rest of the country.
Here are a selection of street party images from Hampshire.
Fareham, Gosport and Porchester
VE Day celebrations held in Prisoner of War Camp, Birdwood Grove, PorchesterCelebrations at Hinchcliffe Road, Gosport. The baby in the front of the photograph is Victor Edward (VE) Knight, born on VE Day. (Image courtesy of Vic Knight)Party outside the Hoeford Pub, Gosport Road, FarehamA street celebration at Red Barn Lane, FarehamA street celebration at Red Barn Lane, Fareham
Eastleigh
Group photo of VE Day party attendees, Addison Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)A large VE Day celebration at Campbell Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)VE Day celebration, Chamberlayne Road, Great Eastleigh Farm (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)A large outdoor celebration at Cranbury Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)A VE Day party held at Cranbury Road Parish Hall, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)Celebrations in the street, High Street, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)Large VE celebration gathering, Nutbeem Road, EastleighRuskin Road VE Day celebrations (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)An outdoor party to celebrate VE Day, Scott Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)VE Day celebrations. including Gyp the dog at Tennyson Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Eastleigh & District Historical Society)Group photograph of VE Day celebrations, Twyford Road, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of Robert Winkworth)VE Day or VJ Day celebrations in September 1945, Drake Road, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of the Bishopstoke History Society)VE Day street party, Edward Avenue, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of the Bishopstoke History Society)Fancy dress VE or VJ Day celebrations on the back of a lorry, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh (Image courtesy of the Bishopstoke History Society)
Basingstoke
Photograph showing view looking west of a VE Day street party along Soper Grove, Basingstoke. (Image courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust)Street party along May Street, Basingstoke. (Image courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust)South west view of street party along May Street, Basingstoke. (Image courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust)
