麻豆约拍

Joan Clement was 10-years-old on VE Day but it was the events that took place only months prior that make her story so significant. Joan lived in London with her parents and her three younger siblings when her street was bombed by the Germans.

This completely destroyed her home and most of the others on her street. She recalls people being killed in the street but fortunately Joan and her family walked away with only cuts and bruises. A piece of glass exploded into Joan鈥檚 eye, causing damage to her sight. Today, she looks at her scar fondly, knowing that it represents her place in British history.

Joan remembers the roof of her house caving in and only pieces of wood protected the ceiling from collapsing on her two month old brother, Michael. When he was picked up by his mother, she was distraught and convinced he was dead. When Joan handed her brother to a fireman, Michael cried letting his family know that he was fine.

After finding shelter at a friend鈥檚 house a couple of streets away, Joan and her family boarded the train to Birmingham without any belongings as they were all destroyed by the attacks. They stayed in Birmingham in their grandmother鈥檚 living room before they were allocated a council house in Sparkbrook.

On VE Day, Joan remembers big celebrations with a street party outside her home in Sparkbrook. She said people were making bunting out of clothes even though people didn鈥檛 really have spare clothes. Her mother made cakes and jellies, using just about everything they had.

She also recalls people playing the piano in the street as music wasn鈥檛 really popular then. There were lots of people and everyone was so happy that the Germans had surrendered and would no longer be a threat.

On the day she remembers her mother crying, telling Joan that 鈥渋t was over鈥� and they could carry on and live their lives.

Despite VE Day being 70 years ago, Joan remembers that period so vividly that she says it is almost like she has watched her memories on a film and they weren鈥檛 real life events.

Image: VE Day celebrations on Woodlands Street in Sparkhill, Birmingham

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