Second World War veteran: Victory in Europe events ‘will be a great tribute’

Jungle party: Constance Thompson

A veteran of the Second World War who celebrated victory in Europe with a three-day party in Burma says the lockdown commemorations for the 75th anniversary will still be a “great tribute” to those who lost their lives.

Constance Thompson, 93, served in the Women’s Auxiliary Service from 1944 to 1945, aged just 17. She said that events taking place on Friday for VE Day 75 would be no less “important” despite the public being unable to come together due to the pandemic.

Mrs Thompson said the celebrations would be: “Absolutely wonderful. A great tribute I am sure. We can come together wherever we are to remember those who gave so much for the war effort.

"So many people lost their lives or went through appalling things. Unbelievable things. We must continue to be grateful to them for the freedoms we have now.”

Mrs Thompson, who now lives in Fulham, was in the middle of the Burmese jungle when the news of victory in Europe broke.

Constance on the bonnet of her canteen truck with dog and fellow WASB

She said: “There was a huge celebration. Three days of music, food, drinks. It was a wonderful feeling.”

She was later sent to Japan to look after former prisoners of war. It was there that she met her husband of 47 years, Peter.

The Government moved the traditional early May bank holiday from today to May 8 to allow for celebrations to take place.

Constance and three others in a Jeep

But social distancing requirements have meant the cancellation of street parties and the creation of Victory Park, featuring examples of war life, in St James’s Park.

The Queen will broadcast at 9pm, the same time her father addressed the nation at the end of the conflict, and the public will be invited to join the celebration by taking part in a rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s anthem, We’ll Meet Again, during a BBC One programme.

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