Sunderland woman's amazing memories of VE Day provide a fascinating insight into the past

A Sunderland woman has described her amazing memories of VE Day as she joined the millions of people packed into London.
Dorreen Storey who has shared memories of the Second World War.Dorreen Storey who has shared memories of the Second World War.
Dorreen Storey who has shared memories of the Second World War.

Dorreen Storey, nee Snaith, was 12 when she got to experience one of the most incredible days in history.

War was over in Europe and Dorreen had been evacuated to live with relatives in Earley near Reading.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As soon as peace in Europe came, Dorreen was transferred to be with another aunt at Muswell Hill – ready to be picked up at Kings Cross for the journey home.

Dorreen Storey who has shared her memories of the Second World War.Dorreen Storey who has shared her memories of the Second World War.
Dorreen Storey who has shared her memories of the Second World War.

But they had time to take in the VE Day celebrations, and what a sight they were.

Dorreen, now 87, said: “I had never seen the Underground before. And on the way to London, everyone was shouting and they had hats and streamers.

“We went to Trafalgar Square and right up to Buckingham Palace and I saw the Royal family. It was all breathtaking.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

London that day was hit by violent thunderstorms yet still the crowds gathered from 8am onwards. Newspapers reported ‘flashing skies’ as if in reminder of the air raids.

The visit to remember lasted from lunchtime until the evening for Dorreen. It included sandwiches for lunch and generally wandering around.

“It was fantastic and there was no trouble,” Dorreen remembered. “Some people were swimming in the Serpentine and climbing on statues. Everyone was so happy.”

Dorreen spent the war in a little village which was quiet and away from the worst of the air raids. She said she ‘didn’t mind because I knew I would be staying with relatives and they were good to me.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During her childhood in Sunderland, Dorreen went to Hendon Board School and later West Park School when she came back home.

In later life, she worked in jobs including clerking, secretarial work, bookkeeping and later in a funeral directors.

We asked Dorreen whether the war years were harder for people than the world’s current battle with the coronavirus.

She said: “I don’t think things were harder then. We lived with it. Children didn’t expect much. We were happy with a ball to play with, or we played hopscotch.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Husband Bill died in 1982. She has a daughter and three sons.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.