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Rex North’s Story

Rex North from Kirk Langley in Derbyshire was 10-years-old on VE Day in 1945. He was living on Pear Tree Crescent in Pear Tree, Derby, where there was a street party to celebrate.

Rex helped collect material for a massive bonfire, which was in the middle of the road. He and others went to a nearby depot for empty ammunition boxes. Everyone burned things they no longer needed, such as shutters which were used for the black out.

Trestle tables were set up in a woman’s garage and a meal was served to local people in the street.

Rex says he felt elated when victory in Europe was declared - even as a child he understood the importance of it.

He says life changed after the Second World War, although rationing was still in place. He can remember the first time the local corner shop had ice cream, he ran their as fast as he could. Another memory for Rex is when he saw a banana for the first time.

Image: Rex North

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3 minutes

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