On Thursday 8th May 2025, members of the Penarth community gathered to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

At West House Community Gardens, people came together to mark this historic date at a garden party hosted by the Penarth Town Mayor, Cllr. Gwenda Roberts.

Residents, Councillors, members of the armed forces, teachers and pupils of Albert Road Primary School and Evenlode Primary school heard memories shared by some Penarth residents who could remember the celebrations as war in Europe was brought to an end in 1945.

The morning began with a welcome by the Mayor and the raising of the VE Day flag. Harpist Eluned Henry entertained the guests as they enjoyed refreshments and watched the national proceedings on a big screen. The Rev. Jimmy Young, Priest for All Saints, Penarth and St Peter’s, Old Cogan led attendees in a prayer of remembrance before Philip Morris sounded the Last Post and the Mayor led the official two minutes’ silence at noon.

We thank all who contributed and came together to share in this moment.

Penarth Town Mayor, Cllr. Gwenda Roberts said:

Eighty years ago today the United Kingdom and its Allies celebrated VE Day- the end of the war in Europe. Victory in the Far East was still to come.

Having landed in Normandy on the 6th June 1944 in what was one of the largest and most complex amphibious operation of all time the Allies went on through France and further into Europe. They crossed the Rhine in March 1945 and the German army surrendered to General Eisenhower in Reims 80 years ago today.

And so today we come together to commemorate what came to be known as VE Day and our thoughts turn to thanksgiving and remembrance of those millions that gave so much to achieve the freedom we all enjoy today.

We remember those we lost, those who were wounded or scarred, those whose lives were forever changed by war.

The War Memorial in Alexandra Park commemorates the deaths of 205 military personnel from Penarth and eight civilians who were casualties of World War 2.  72 of them attended what is now Stanwell School and the memorial in St Augustine’s Church names 156. Inside West House here is a plaque to Wing Commander Guy Gibson whose wife came from Penarth and they lived at Archer Road. He was the Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron which he led in the Dam Busters raid in May 1943 and was awarded the Victoria Cross but sadly was killed in action in Holland in 1944 aged 26.

Penarth was heavily bombed during the Second World War by both incendiary and explosive bombs because of its docks and proximity to Cardiff. The docks and cliffs had been used as preparation for D Day. Destroyers and hospital ships came to be repaired and refitted in Penarth Docks and of course the heavy anti-aircraft guns at the Lavernock Battery. The air raids began in Penarth in 1941 and continued for 4 years – there are some very interesting accounts and diary entries by Penarth residents who lived through the nightly raids. All Saints Church was bombed, it’s railings and gates already having been taken like so many garden railings. Parks had been turned to allotments. Some of the streets mentioned that were bombed in these accounts are Arcot St, Salop St, Albert Rd, Queens Rd.

Civilians also hugely played their part – we only mentioned a month ago when unveiling a plaque to Constance Maillard and how she led and supported the duties of the WRVS in Penarth during this time. Other residents served in the Home Guard, as Air Raid Wardens, on Fire Guard duties and on the land. It was a war that affected everyone with women entering the labour force in large numbers and rationing continuing until after the war.

Like me I’m sure many of you can recount the stories our parents or grandparents told of their own memories of the War, how family members fought or helped  – and like me you probably have pictures of family members with flags celebrating VE day.

And so today 80 years on, we offer thanksgiving for the selflessness of those who gave up so much in order that future generations like us should enjoy freedom, democracy and peace and it is important for the world to remember that. And, as well celebrating – as they did in 1945 – we think of all who served – those who gave their lives and those too who were fortunate to come home, to come home here to Penarth  – and we think of them with thanks. 

A heddiw da ‘ni’n cofio amdanynt, yn meddwl amdanynt ac yn diolch iddynt.