VE Day Anniversary May 1945

A short compilation of scenes of the Second World War home-front filmed by amateur films makers around the region.

A silent compilation of archive film from the collections at the East Anglian Film Archive to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in May 2020. Drawing on films shot by several film makers across the region, this compilation includes scenes of a family holiday in August 1939 contrasted with preparations for war the following month, evacuees arriving by train, village fundraising for War Weapons Week, ARP training, Norwich scenes and VE day celebrations in May 1945. The compilation uses content from the following EAFA titles: - Cat 536: 'Town And Family Scenes', Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (1939-40) - Cat 1292: [Captain Rowsell's Norwich], Norwich, Norfolk (1945) - Cat 1698: 'VE Day Party', Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire (1945) - Cat 1702: 'Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands War Weapons Week', Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire (1941) - Cat 8551: [Dixon / Spittle Collection. Reel 11] (1939) - Cat 8626: [Dixon / Spittle Collection. Reel 12] (1940s)

Keywords

Second World War; World War II; VE Day

Intertitles

Titles and intertitles are from the original films apart from those marked with asterisk: VE Day Anniversary May 1945* Spring / Summer 1939* Portcothan 1939 That was August This is September The village of Aspley Guise stages a week of events to raise money for the war effort* Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands War Weapons Week May 24th to 31st 1941 ARP training Norwich city centre* VE Day 9th May 1945 Where are those children? Here they are and what a tea! The bonfire with Hitler in the right place The Rector and Mrs Clothier pay a call The evening celebrations Dancing by the fire-light, of course with a kiss So ends the happy day Logos: University of East Anglia / East Anglian Film Archive

Background Information

The East Anglian Film Archive Commemorates the 75th Anniversary of VE Day with a Short Film Compilation. 75 years after VE Day on 8th May 1945, the East Anglian Film Archive (EAFA) presents a snapshot of life on the home front in a ten-minute compilation film. With scenes from Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands War Weapons Week, Norwich city centre after the Baedeker raids, and street parties celebrating VE Day, we hope that the film will offer a look back in time at some familiar places whilst rekindling memories of the region’s tenacity, resilience and positivity - something which no doubt many will be calling on once again at this time. The footage was produced by some important amateur filmmakers whose collections are held by EAFA: Aspley Guise resident A.R. Sinfield, USAAF radar and communications officer Captain Charles Rowsell, Cambridge University don Trevor Spittle, and East Essex Gazette photographer Herbert Smerdon all documented their lives during wartime. More information about the filmmakers and their films can be found by searching our website. Once the COVID-19 pandemic improves, EAFA intends to provide a digital version of the film that can be licensed by organisations interested in screening it for free. Any organisation who would like to screen the film should email eafa@uea.ac.uk and we’ll be pleased to send you a digital file and a free licence agreement. We ask that you report back to us with audience numbers.