As the nation marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Sheffielders’ have shared their experiences from family members who participated in the war effort.
Anne-Marie Appleton, 73, from Crosspool shared stories of her mother, Muriel Goddard – née White , who was 17 when she worked all throughout the war in a factory making steel plates for aircraft and ships.
Mrs Appleton said she was ‘proud’ of her mother’s contributions.
She added: “It was a time when everybody worked together and she made a lot of friendships.”
Muriel’s experiences are documented in the book “Women of Steel” by Michelle Rawlins.
Mrs Appleton also recalled her mother saying she could ‘see the bombs falling on Sheffield’ during the Blitz.
On the nights of 12 and 15 December 1940, Sheffield experienced the horrors of German Luftwaffe bombing, killing 700 people and destroying 82,000 homes.
For Mark Hunter, 64, from Hunters Bar, he said it’s a ‘bloody great big sigh of relief’ that his whole family survived the war.
His mother, Ivy Hunter, born in 1921, joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). Her brothers, Alan and Cyril, also served; Alan was a map-reader and Cyril served in the Eighth Army in the Middle East.
Mr Hunter said: “With some of the stories you hear of other people who have parents who served in the war, they never really bothered to talk about it.”
Today, Sheffield Cathedral will join other cathedrals around England in a coordinated ringing of bells at 6.30pm.
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council said: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day gives local communities across Sheffield the chance to come together and remember the sacrifices made during WW2.
“It’s important we continue to honour those who served in the war and their bravery.”
People were encouraged to celebrate on Bank Holiday Monday (5 May) with several street parties taking place.
Chapeltown Library hosted a talk on WW2 in Ecclesfield Parish on Tuesday (6 May) and a special 80th anniversary event titled ‘Amazing Afternoon Cabaret with Gary and Lorrie’ was hosted at Sheffield’s Moor Market.
An exhibition at the Central Library is on display between May and August.
