VE Day in Witney: A Community Remembers

By Sonia Jervis, Museum Volunteer

“There were flags, music, and smiling faces on every corner.”

On 8 May 1945, as victory in Europe was declared, the people of Witney poured into the streets to celebrate the end of nearly six years of war. After enduring years of rationing, fear, and separation, VE Day brought spontaneous joy and relief.

Street parties popped up across the town. Families brought out tables and chairs, shared homemade cakes and decorated their streets with flags and bunting. Children wore paper hats and enjoyed rare treats.

In neighbourhoods like Corn Street, The Leys, and Church Green, music played and strangers became friends. For many, it was a joyful reunion with loved ones returning home. But even amid the laughter, there was an awareness of those still serving, and those who never came back.

Remembering Two Local Soldiers: Dick Simpson and Billy Moss

Lance Corporal Harold ‘Dick’ Simpson grew up on Station Lane and worked at Charles Early & Co. He joined the Royal Marines in 1940 and was later selected for the elite 48 Royal Marine Commando. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, as his landing craft approached the beaches of Normandy under heavy fire, Dick was mortally wounded before he could even disembark. He is buried in Witney’s Tower Hill Cemetery.

Sergeant William ‘Billy’ Moss, born on West End, was also a local lad who worked in one of Witney’s blanket mills. After enlisting in 1940, he served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. On D-Day, weighed down with equipment and a radio set, Billy drowned as he disembarked onto the chaotic beaches. He lies at rest in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

Their stories remind us that VE Day, while joyous, was also a time of deep reflection and loss. The war in the Pacific was still ongoing, and for many families, the celebration came with shadows.

80 Years on

VE Day in Witney was more than a street party — it was a moment of shared relief, remembrance, and cautious hope. As we celebrate this chapter in history, we also honour those who gave everything. To find out more about the stories behind VE Day in Witney, visit our current VE Day exhibition.