Huthwaite War Memorial
Victory Celebrations
Two victorious dates were nationally celebrated in the success of allied nations ending World War Two. Full surrender of German forces brought a relieving end to Hitler's war, marking a UK Bank Holiday on 8 May 1945 as Victory in Europe or VE Day. Final concluding surrender necessitated use of two atomic bombs before marking Victory over Japan or VJ Day on 15 August 1945.
VE Day
Anne Orwin's family album dates this scene back to when her father Vic Goodall stood far back right, besides grandma Coral. 
Alison Georgina Clarke claims Grandmother Thornhill plus an 8 year old mum Miss Sylvia Thornhill were at far back. Celia Smedley identifies front table seating Mr & Mrs Burrows, plus two more neighbouring ladies, when she sits on mums knee named Eunice Burton.
VE Day party shown above on top end of Barker Street must have been sited not only near highest point in Huthwaite, but over all Nottinghamshire.
In rear yards shared between Mr Naylor and Mr Peters, here are children enjoying a VE Day party on George Street. Three gentlemen stood at back are identified from Mike Smith's family album to be Mr Peters, Mr Arthur Beresford and Mr Stacey. Miss Joyce Beresford is probably sat with back to the camera, second left off center. This street was built within the far east fringes of Huthwaite, lastly branching north of the main Sutton Road. Boundary changes are claimed to have divided the facing houses with a shifting borderline. Although designated since to fully fall within Sutton-in-Ashfield, many original residents, especially along west side, long considered themselves part of a close Huthwaite community.
On opposite far east Huthwaite boundary adjacent Derbyshire, is where the Railway Inn hosted a Woodend party. Reportage adds names for all those attending and Mr Trev Ashmore can still recall proudly winning 10 bob in the sports events, in a running race along the familiar long and narrow field.
Woodend, Huthwaite's "outpost," was in festive mood on Saturday, some 110 children drawn from Woodend, Woodland Avenue, Strawberry Bank and Chesterfield Road, being entertained to a Victory tea. The weather was perfect and the organising committee had worked untiringly to make the event a success. The chairman was Mr. F. Pope, the hon. secretary, Mr. J.T. Thorpe; and the treasurer, Mr. J.W. Henstock. Funds had been raised by the sale of the fire-watching appliances of Sector D.61, and the services rendered by Mr. W. Bunting, of the Railway Inn, were a welcome feature. Tea was served on Mr. Buntings lawn, and consisted of tongue, potted meat, cake, pastries and trifles and tea in unlimited quantities. There were also ices, mineral waters and sweets. During the meal Mr. Victor Buxton played pianoforte selections and also accompanied community singing. The ladies' committee, who did the catering and serving, consisted of Beresford (secretary), Buxton, Herrod, Wilkinson, Bonser, Alcock, Hutchinson, Ashmore and Ashley. Tea for the grown-ups followed, and then sports were held for the youngsters on Mr. Burton's field adjoining. Money prizes were presented, the funds having been given by the fire-watching group, and collected by Mr. Thorpe. At the close of the programme a vote of thanks was proposed to Mr. Bunting for the use of his lawn and piano, to Mr. Burton for the field, and to all helpers.
Lily Wombwell, Gert Dobb, Winnie Beresford, Evelyn Smith, Madge Lee, Lily Machin, Jessie Brown, Henry Herrod, Gwen Cash, Phillis Bonser, Margery Alcock, Linda North, Cilla Wass, Annie Flowers, Madge Herrod, Mrs Reddington, Mrs Ashley, Mrs Swain, Mrs Ashmore, Margaret Pope, Mrs Hatten, Mrs Machin, Freda Barlow, Annie Hutchinson, Len Wilkinson, Lena Wilkinson, Connie Crompton, Gillian Crompton, Pheobe Ellis, Jack Wilson, Mark Swain, Elsie Wilson, Doris Wilson, Jack Bunting, Edna Sowter, Fred Pope, Jack Hetton, Mr Wilson, Mrs Hutchinson, Albert, 'Tid' Severns, Mr Machin.
VJ Day
Next joyful scene was confirmed by Mrs Agnes Brooks fronting her fathers past Market Street property on August 18th 1945. Dated marking VJ Day was when the nation shared in celebrating a final end to the bloodiest war every fought, although documents officially accepting surrender were ultimately signed by Japan on 2 September aboard the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay.
12 Nov 09 by Gary Elliott Updated 21 May 20