Chelsea Pensioner John Short

John Short

John enlisted into the Army in 1944 - he spent VE Day at Ellis Barracks in Farnborough.

"It was while I was at Farnborough that the war ended and I remember on VE night many of us, both soldiers and civilians, walked down through the main street arm in arm singing and genuinely rejoicing. There were other soldiers and girls from the ATS and civilians all joining in, in very happy, good natured merriment.

"I remember there were some military police who tried to stop the celebrations, failed and then joined in! Being still very young soldiers we had to leave the celebrations and return to our barracks."

(Photo: Valerie McDowall) 

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