Victory in Europe Day - 75th Anniversary

On May 8, 1945, the Allies gained victory in Europe with Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. The Revelstoke Review of May 10, 1945 carried the headline, “Revelstoke Rejoices as War Ends in Europe This Week.”

Since the declaration of war in September of 1939, more than 500 men and women from Revelstoke had enlisted. Thirty-two men from the city and district died in the conflict. Thousands of parcels and letters had been sent to the soldiers overseas, and thousands of dollars had been raised for the war effort, and for war charities.

Many early risers had heard the early morning radio broadcast of the Victory in Europe  from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Harry S. Truman. The King’s address came at noon, and his remarks were heard in practically every home in Revelstoke.

The official Canadian announcement was delivered by J.L. Ilsley, the Acting Prime Minister of Canada, at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 8, and the rest of the day and the following day were declared a holiday in Revelstoke. Flags appeared in homes and businesses, and the big flag of the Eighth Victory Loan campaign stood outside of their office, reminding people that the campaign was still on, and that the loan was still vital in winning the war against Japan.

The annual inspection of the Air Cadet Squadron, sponsored by the Revelstoke Rotary Club, took place on May 8th as well. The Revelstoke Band paraded from their band hall on Boyle Avenue up to city hall, where they performed for an hour. In the evening, a free dance given by the Kinsmen at the Civic Centre attracted a large crowd. Church services of prayer and Thanksgiving held on May 9th were well attended. Newspaper ads celebrating the end of the European war were sponsored by many local businesses. There was a sense of relief felt throughout the community, but the celebration was muted by the realization that the global conflict was not yet completely over, and that many Revelstoke soldiers were still involved with the war in Japan.

Rationing of staple food items was still in place, although the scarcity in Canada paled in comparison to that in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. The campaign ads for the Victory Bonds reminded Revelstoke residents of this disparity, encouraging them to continue to buy bonds to support the ongoing war effort and to help those most in need. Revelstoke’s quota for the Eighth Victory Loan campaign was $220,000. As of May 8th, $178,750 had been raised. A large ad by the City of Revelstoke stated, “The people of Revelstoke will remember with gratitude and pride the gallantry of the sons and daughters of our own City who have played a noble part in the fight for freedom. We rejoice with them in this great victory. Yet the rejoicing must be tempered by the grievous memory of many young lives sacrificed for our liberties. Our deepest sympathies go to the bereaved families who sorrow victory cannot assuage.” The letter went on to encourage the purchase of Victory Bonds.

World War II ended with victory over Japan on August 15, 1945.

Revelstoke Cenotaph and Royal Canadian Legion, 1959, with plaques commemorating the fallen Revelstoke soldiers from World War I and World War II.

We remember the Revelstoke casualties:

George Cyril Perry                              April 15, 1940             Age 28

William Allan Calder                          October 9, 1940          Age 27

William Ambrose McDonnell             November 29, 1940    Age 33

Francis Llewelyn Lloyd Jones            May 24, 1941              Age 20

William Darling                                   July 2, 1941                 Age 25

Clarence Edward Charles Haggitt    September 9, 1941      Age 30

William Donald McCulloch                June 23, 1942              Age 22

William Gordon McKinnon                August 6, 1942           Age 24

Kenneth William Watson                    August 6, 1942           Age 18

Robert Francis McIntyre                     October 2, 1942          Age 26           

Omer Kenneth Middleton                  January 20, 1943         Age 26

Harry Clinton “Pat”Pulley                  March 1, 1943             Age 24

Lester McBride Wadman                   March 8, 1943             Age 23

Richard Donald Esselmont                 July 27, 1943               Age 21

William Southard Morrison                July 21, 1943               Age 21

Harmon Wendellyn Laughlan             February 3, 1943         Age 25

John Stanley Kelly                              August 4, 1943           Age 27

George Robert Barnes                          August 5, 1943           Age 20

George Melville English                     September 15, 1943    Age 24

Gordon Robert Drimmie                     January 14, 1944         Age 21

Donald McCrae                                  May 28, 1944              Age 27

Ernest F.J. Phillips                              June 11, 1944              Age 32

Nicholas Holyk                                   June 24, 1944              Age 35

Walter Francis Hughes                        September 24, 1944    Age 30

John Frederick Haigh                          October 21, 1944        Age 30

Hans Barton Gunnarsen                      November 3, 1944      Age 34           

Jack Edward Armstrong                     November 15, 1944    Age 23

Herbert John Arnold                           February 25, 1945       Age 21

Alfred Chilton                                          March 16, 1945           Age 28

Stewart Arthur Mackinlay                  April 15, 1945             Age 23

Arnold Douglas Hedstrom                 April 16, 1945             Age 22

Carmen Christie Caponero                  April 21, 1945             Age 31