MAY 8, 1945: 'Right has triumphed over might', says your Chard and Ilminster News

While the announcement was made over the radio at midnight, it wasn’t until the broadcast at 7am that most heard the news.

Britain has declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.

It would be five years, eight months and five days before the conflict would be over.

People took to the streets to celebrate ‘Victory in Europe Day’.

Neighbours waved flags and cheered on the roadside.

The end of the war also saw Allied armed forces working their way across German occupied territory, freeing people from captivity in concentration, labour, and prisoner of war camps.

As well a celebrating the end of the war, the front page of your Chard and Ilminster News also welcomed home men who had served their country and spent years behind German bars.

The following report appeared in full on the front page of your local paper.

WE have won a mighty victory in Europe.

Right has finally triumphed over might.

It is the victory of the ordinary man.

We have shown the world that democracy has the quality which makes plain men into heroes, who take on together tasks that seem impossible.

The teamwork if the free has proved mightier than the rule of the dictators, loyalty to one another greater than the obedience of fear, openness more powerful than secrecy.

Millions of thankful hearts feel a sense of relief from fear of bombing, from fear of a turn in the tide, from anxiety for our men on the continent, from the tyranny of alien ideas.

Deep in our hearts we feel there is a great purpose behind the mercy of providence which has preserved us from destruction by the most powerful military machine ever created.

The last five years have changed our living, our thinking, and our values.

We have been awakened from dreams of easy living.

We have learned to put the country before our private interests. We have begun to learn the values of teamwork.

We have fought alongside men of many nationalities and learned to respect them.

This is Britain’s great hour.

We meet it with courage and hope. With deep-felt thankfulness we say, ‘This time we won’t let them down,’ those who gave everything and saved this country of ours for her great destiny.

Friday and Saturday last saw the return of two more Ilminster soldiers from Stalags (prisoner of war camps) after being liberated by American armies fighting in Germany.

Private Phillip Victor Webber, 33 years-old, of the Highland Light Infantry, released from Stalag 8B, arrived home on Friday morning. He had been a prisoner in German hands since May 28, 1940.

The younger son of Mr and Mrs S Webber, of Love Lane, he joined the army in 1939.

What struck him most was the welcome he received on his return – “a real Somerset welcome” – and he wished to transmit his thanks to all concerned.

He said that the Red Cross is what got him and many of his friends through.

“The parcels were wonderful,” he said, and he obviously meant it.

He reached Ostend by various stages from the prison camp, and was moved to a reception camp in England.

“The organisation here was marvellous, and the reception they gave us chaps was great.”

On Saturday, 24 year old Reg Stevens was greeted by his parents, Mr and Mrs Stevens, at their home in Frog Lane.

This tall private fought with the Eighth Army. He went overseas in 1942, and was captured at Leros in on November 17, 1943.

He was moved by the Germans to Stalag XIA, near Magdeburg, and was put to work in a salt mine.

While in the camp his health was good, and he said the prisoners were treated ‘not so bad’.

Before the war, Reg worked for Ted West, of Ilminster, and just completed his apprenticeship when war broke out.

Private Stevens too emphasised that the Red Cross parcels were a vital part of their existence.

MOMENTOUS: Residents line the Strawberry Bank in Ilminster, 1945.

Photos provided by the Heritage of the Ile Trust