Arthur Reflects on VE Day, 80 Years On

We all felt a tremendous relief on VE Day

The 8th May marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Victory in Europe. For many, it was a time of national reflection. But for Arthur, one of our clients, this day was deeply personal. Now 101, Arthur vividly remembers the sense of relief and release that rippled through Britain on 8th May 1945.

“I remember it clearly,” he told us. “It was a great, great relief. We’d been through so much; the bombings, the blackouts, the air raids. Everyone just wanted it to be over.”

During the war, Arthur joined the RAF and began training as an airman, including navigation and Morse code. However, his engineering skills were soon recognised as being of greater value on the ground. His service was deferred, a term used when someone’s military call-up was postponed because their civilian job was considered essential to the war effort. In Arthur’s case, that meant contributing to the construction of Halifax bombers at a munitions factory, playing a vital role in keeping the aircraft flying.

VE Day brought emotional scenes up and down the country. For Arthur and his colleagues, it was the first time in years that they could breathe easily. “We were sleeping under Morrison shelters in our homes to stay safe from the bombs. So, when the end came, yes, it was euphoria, but mostly it was relief.”

It’s not just his wartime memories that make Arthur so special. His life story is one of tireless dedication, positivity, and a love for work that many say is the secret to his longevity.

Arthur started working at 14, delivering milk and papers before school. He rose through the ranks from apprentice toolmaker to production engineer and eventually managing director in the engineering industry. But even that wasn’t the end of his working life, he later became a recruiter for the Federation of Small Businesses and continued in that role until the age of 90.

“I’ve always been a workaholic,” Arthur confesses. “I never saw it as a chore, because I loved what I did. I think staying mentally and physically active is a big part of why I’ve lived this long.”

Even after retiring, Arthur keeps his mind sharp using his tablet and smartphone, learning new technology and keeping up with the world. He believes strongly in treating people well, a leadership style he says helped him earn respect throughout his career. “I was never a bully,” he says. “I treated people the way I liked to be treated.”

Arthur’s personal life has been just as full. He was married to his beloved wife Betty for 65 years, until her passing in 2016. They raised a daughter together Claire who now lives in America, and today Arthur is a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He now lives in Reigate, Surrey, where he continues to inspire everyone around him with his wit, warmth, and remarkable memory.

As we mark VE Day 80, we feel honoured to care for someone who lived through history and helped shape it. Thank you, Arthur, for sharing your story.