Mansfield woman who was a child during World War Two shares VE Day memories

Mary Mousley, 79, from Mansfield was five-years-old when victory in Europe was announced on May 8 1945 and Britain and their Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender to World War Two.

The retired machinist celebrated the fact the country had won the war and fighting against the enemy had ceased with a VE Day party on Gedling Street in 1945.

In a photo from the celebrations, Mary and other children in the neighbourhood are seen eating food together, for the first time since the war began.

The 79-year-old who has been self-isolating due to the coronavirus, explained what she remembers from that poignant moment in history as a child.

"I just look at that photograph and think I can't believe that that is 75 years ago, it seems strange to me”, Mary said.

"We came through a difficult time, we're in a difficult time at the moment and hopefully, we'll do exactly the same when this is all finished.

"In those days we didn't have cameras did we so you were really lucky if you had any photographs from when you were young.

"It would have been a really special moment.

"It would have been lovely to have a party and everybody could get together, I think anything you did in those days where you all got together was really enjoyable.”

Mary will commemorate the lives of men and women who were lost during World War Two alone due to social distancing rules which aim to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The retired pensioner has put up union jack bunting around her house to show her support for the sacrifices soldiers and civilians made to win the war effort.

“I really am proud of my country. I know we are going through a sad time at the moment but I have always been pleased to be British”, Mary added.

"Hopefully I shall see some people up and down the street standing outside their houses to remember those we have lost.”