A gathering of World War Two veterans, aged 96 to 100, celebrated the 78th anniversary of VE Day at The Ritz in London. They reminisced about the jubilant celebrations on May 8, 1945, after years of conflict. Veterans Joy Wilding, Ruth Bourne, and Doreen Mills shared their personal experiences, depicting scenes of joy and unity as people danced and sang in the streets, often with American soldiers. Their accounts highlight both the relief of victory and the festive spirit that defined that historic day, resonating through memories even decades later.
Joyce Wilding, from Surrey, said: "It was joyous, we did a dance all down Piccadilly." The 100-year-old veteran was in Churchill's Secret Army.
Ruth Bourne, 98, said: "It was a great, euphoric feeling. People were doing the conga with complete strangers holding each other round the waist."
Doreen Mills, 96, shared: "We went up to Piccadilly, we had a great night out there with the Yankees, dancing all night up there."
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