Southampton played a unique role in the effort to defend the United Kingdom's freedom and the city recognises that many of Southampton's residents are proud of their city's struggle to defend their future. Thursday 8th May marked 80 years since the end of hostility in Europe during the Second World War. Southampton, as the home of The Spitfire and a key staging point for the invasion of Europe, played a pivotal role in bringing about Victory in Europe (VE Day). It was also heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe in bombing raids that took a devastating toll on the city and its residents, destroying thousands of homes and landmarks, including parts of the Civic Centre.
VE Day or 'Victory in Europe Day', marked the end of fighting in Europe in World War Two.
On 8th May 1945, at 3pm, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before. Many people were extremely happy that the fighting had stopped, celebrating with street parties across the country.
VE Day was also a moment of sadness and reflection, as millions of people had lost their lives or loved ones in the conflict with many continuing to fight in other battles or still prisoners of war abroad. Even though VE Day marked victory for Europe over Germany, it did not mark the end of World War Two.
This special 80th anniversary allowed us to reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and determination of people from all walks of life who saw the nation through this dark and terrifying period.
Running from May - August 2025, SeaCity Museum will showcase three large display panels in the museum café, an area freely available to everyone. The panels will cover: ‘Local impact of the Second World War’, ‘The end of the war in Europe’ and ‘The end of the war in the Far East’.
Additionally, photographs from the museum and archive collections as well as models loaned by a local model maker who specialises in matchstick models will be on display, including a model of Queen Mary, which was used as a troop carrier during the Second World War.
Image: Southampton Victory Parade (Palmerston Park to Civic Centre), held on Sunday 13 May 1945. Women’s Voluntary Services.
Alongside community celebrations, the city hosted a programme of public events to honour Southampton’s pivotal role in World War Two, including
For many, VE Day was bittersweet—while the war in Europe had ended, many local servicemen and women were still fighting in the Pacific.
Friday 15th August 2025 is the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, marking the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. A time for the nation to remember the impact that leaving, missing and returning home had on service men and women and their loved ones.
Details of the activities taking place for VJ Day will be announced soon.
Street parties have been a key part of our British history, organised by residents to lift spirits during times of hardships and strengthen ties within communities.
If your community or neighbourhood is interested in organising a street party as part of the VJ Day 80 celebrations in August, you can apply for a free road closure notice by submitting this VJ 80 Community Street Closure Application Form. All forms need to be submitted by the 25th July to avoid paying for the road closure notice fee.
More information about Community Street Closures can be found here.
Information about VJ Day
VJ Day stands for Victory Over Japan Day and it marks the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War Two, which in effect, brought the war to an end. In the UK and the US, VJ Day is celebrated on different dates. The initial announcement of Japan’s surrender was made on 15 August 1945, which is why the UK marks VJ Day on 15 August each year. However, the surrender documents were officially signed on the USS Missouri battleship on 2 September 1945, which is why America celebrates on 2 September instead. In Japan, the day is known as the “memorial day for the end of the war”, and is observed on 15 August.
How is VJ Day linked to VE Day?
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day, and it refers to the surrender of Nazi Germany on 8 May 1945, after nearly six years of war. Despite the battle against the Nazis coming to an end, Japan stood firm and war continued to rage on in the Pacific where Japan, a key German ally, fought off the advancing US army. The Japan surrender didn’t come until after the German surrender, and this marked the end of World War Two entirely, which is why there’s a separate day of remembrance and celebration.
VJ Day and Southampton
The men and women of Southampton had sacrificed much during the war, over 3,000 homes in the town were destroyed or had to be demolished due to enemy bombing raids, and over 630 people paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Southampton Blitz.
Thousands of local men from the town fought in the theatres of war in Europe and the Far East, and the town’s docks played a vital role in the events surrounding D-Day in June 1944. 3 and a half million military personnel passed through the port in the weeks and months after D-Day.
Even at the war’s end, many soldiers had still not returned, or were held in Prisoner of War camps in the Far East, their families waiting anxiously for their return. For 22,000 people returning from prisoner of war camps in 1945 their first smell, touch and welcome on home soil was here in Southampton. Peace had come at a great price and the War had left its indelible mark on Southampton and its people. Still today, the resonances of the history of the town, in the Second World War, before and since can be seen and felt.
On 18th November 1945 the ‘Queen Mary’ brought 3,500 troops back to Southampton and the same day the former Italian hospital ship, the ‘Principessa Giovanna’ brought another c. 400.
Find your local VJ Memorial
Residents are encouraged to visit the World War Two memorials in Southampton.
There is a plaque at Town Quay Park which commemorates the repatriation of men, women and children who survived Far East Captivity. It was unveiled on the 27 October 2013.
On the roundabout at Grosvenor Square there is a Burma Memorial which was unveiled on the 11 October 1998 and attended by Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
A memorial stone for the Southampton Far East Prisoners of War can be seen at Holy Saviour Churchyard, Bursledon Rd, Bitterne. It was dedicated on 15 August 2003 and attended by Veterans and former Prisoners of War including Bert Warne, 95, who survived four years in captivity and worked on the Death Railway.
At the Southampton Cenotaph eleven new names, six of which are from World War Two, will be added to the glass Memorial Wall at the Cenotaph ready for VJ Day.
The Government's VE/VJ website provides a range of resources, downloaded able digital materials and additional information. You can view the site here.
View the national VE VJ Day 80 website here.
View the Royal British Legion website for VE and VJ Day 80 here.
With thanks to Southampton Archives for some of the images featured.
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