VE day celebrations in Colchester shown in historic photos

The war's conclusion in Europe was announced 78 years ago by the BBC on the evening of May 7 and Churchill declared the following day a public holiday to be named VE Day.

Colcestrians, and the nation as a whole, had been planning for years what they would do when the lights were switched on again.

Families gathered and a glass was raised to peace across the continent in 1945.

Celebration - a street party in Wickham Road (Image: Newsquest)

Turnout - the party starts in Golden Noble Hill (Image: Newsquest)

Momentous day - residents of Colchester Road in Lawford celebrate VE Day (Image: Newsquest)

That evening, the Gazette’s sister paper, the Essex County Standard, reported that crowds strolled down Colchester High Street or in Castle Park as the penny dropped that it really was all over.

Historian Andrew Phillips detailed how some families went to Clacton on another sunny day while Paxman’s, the town’s biggest factory, held an open day for wives and parents to see where for five years their men – and women – had spent many of their waking hours.

He said: “Bunting and flags appeared as streets began to plan weekend street parties. But with rationing and shortages, it was a challenge to produce any food.

Historic day - a street party in Fen Street, Nayland (Image: Newsquest)

Mates - Land Army girls Gwen Mason and friend put on dresses and had a day out in Clacton (Image: Newsquest)

Joyful - celebrations in Third Avenue, Dovercourt (Image: Newsquest)

“Bread was easy enough – it had not been rationed. Homemade cakes were harder as sugar was severely rationed but women rallied round.”

Yet rationing appeared to be a myth at the American Air Base in Boxted.

Menlined up for barbecued steaks and sausages, while warm British beer was poured from barrels as a baseball match was played.

It was a fair reward for the tremendous sacrifices made by the US flight crews alongside the Brits.

March - the victory parade turns down Queen Street with Colchester Castle behind them (Image: Newsquest)

Well deserved - US troops enjoy a barbecue at their Boxted base (Image: Newsquest)

Cheers - US troops queue for a beer in Boxted (Image: Newsquest)

Tea party - Third Avenue residents in Dovercourt held a tea party (Image: Newsquest)

On the evening of VE Day crowds gathered in High Street as a speech by King George VI was relayed by loudspeaker.

Mr Phillips added: “Revelry went on into the small hours, as searchlights weaved in victory across the night sky.

“No pub ran dry and many pints were never paid for.”