VE DAY 1945 IN WINCHESTER

Hostilities against Germany came to a formal end when an instrument of surrender was signed in Karlshorst, Berlin on 8 May. On the day before, the German High Command had signed a similar surrender document in Reims, at the headquarters of SHAEF.  In Winchester it was announced on Monday 7 May 1945 that VE Day would take place on Tuesday, 8 May.  

According to the House Annals in Trant's:
'When the school reassembled at the beginning of May, great events were occurring in Germany. On May 7th the news for which we had waited five and a half years was received. The war against Germany was over. The school celebrated the occasion in fitting style, with a whole remedy on VE Day and Illuminā in the evening.'

One Collegeman wrote home to his mother that on the Monday when 'V-day was announced... Cathedral bells were rung for nearly 3/4 of an hour...  College stayed up until about 11pm community singing in Chamber Court.' 

Church bells had not rung throughout the war.  They were not permitted except as a warning of enemy invasion.  He goes on: 'Tuesday was of course a Whole holiday... we put up flags across Chamber Court... At 10.15 pm we had an age long custom called "Illuminā", which we have not been able to do since the war [started].  About 250 candles were put in little niches all the way round the wall of Meads... Everyone walked round Meads talking to their friends and admired a truly remarkable sight which I think must be almost unique.'

The war would continue for another three months and no more Wykehamists would be killed in action, although several would lose their lives to other causes.  One of these was the Reverend Graham White (E, 1898-1903), Archdeacon of Singapore, who died, poignantly, on 8 May 1945 in Prisoner of War camp in Singapore.  More information about Graham White can be found on Winchester College at War.

The Wykehamist War Service Record notes that: '2370 Wykehamists served in the Forces, and 16 Assistant Masters who were not Wykehamists, and 69 ex-Quiristers - a total of 2455.

269 gave their lives*, and in addition 9 civilians were killed by Enemy Action.  188 were wounded, and 102 were Prisoners of War.  490 won a decoration, and 401 were Mentioned in Despatches.'

* later adjusted to 274