Remembering VE Day in 1945 in Port Sunlight

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we take a look back at the May-June 1945 edition of the Port Sunlight News.

The following excerpts give us an insight into how both the workers and community responded, from the Lever Brothers’ Chairman’s motto of “work and save” to street parties to a special VE Night celebration at Hulme Hall.

‘A VE-Message From Our Chairman’

The Admiralty, the War Office, the Ministry of Supply, and the Ministry of Aircraft Production have all sent congratulatory messages to Port Sunlight on its splendid record of achievement during the past five-and-a-half years of war.

What has been done would not have been possible without the wholehearted co-operation of management, technical staff and Works and Office personnel, and this great team of workers has just cause to be proud of its record of accomplishment.

The Japanese war remains to be won and our efforts must not be relaxed until the United Nations are victorious in every theatre of war.

The change-over from war to peace conditions will be gradual, and it may be some time before we are able to enjoy relaxation from long hours of work, ability to purchase freely and all the amenities of life to which we are looking forward.

Our motto for the moment must be “Work and Save”, and our efforts in the future will be stimulated by the knowledge that our task is more than half accomplished and that every effort we make is helping our fighting men to win final victory — that final victory which is to bring them back to their homes and jobs.

Minister of Supply’s Message

On the morning after the two VE holidays, our Chairman broadcast a message of appreciation and encouragement to the Works and Offices and concluded with the following personal message from the Minister of Supply:—

“A large part of our job has been accomplished. You have all done magnificently and the country is very proud of you. Let us now bend our energy to our remaining tasks.”

It is only in the last few months that everyone at Port Sunlight has been made fully aware of our share in the national war effort with our output of vital munitions, food rations and soap for all three Services. Every job at Port Sunlight has been one cog in the giant war machine and this message was therefore addressed to every one of us here.

VE Thanksgiving Service

A service of thanksgiving for Victory and Deliverance was held in Christ Church on 13th May, where the congregation numbered 850.

It was conducted by the Rev. Horace Wright and attended by members of the United Comrades Federation … [and] also a detachment of the Port Sunlight Corps, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Port Sunlight Companies of the Boys’ Brigade, Guides and Rangers and several members of an American Hospital Staff.

Colonel Briggs read the lesson, and a short address was given by the Rev. Horace Wright, who stressed the great need for peace and spoke of the ways in which everyone could help to attain it. Prayers were offered expressing thankfulness for victory in Europe and hopes for permanent peace.

The hymns “Praise my soul”, “O God our help”, “For all the Saints”, and “Now we thank all our God” were sung, with Miss J. Lumby accompanying at the organ.

The Choir, under the direction of Mr. Arthur Ellis, rendered a part of Sullivan’s “Festival Te Deum”.

VE Celebrations

The Hulme Hall was literally overflowing with an excited crowd on VE-Night, when a Dance was held there for which the Company paid the expenses, and it was therefore free to all.

Two bands were in attendance — Ronnie Taylor’s and The Moderniques — and Mr. H. Baldwin was the M.C. The Ladies’ Committee who looked after the refreshments were able to send £10 to the British Red Cross, as a result of their efforts.

Outside, in the Village, bedecked with flags and bunting, several bonfires were lit, to the great delight of the children, who enjoyed, too, their special street parties which were held on VE-Day and at other times.

Discover more stories from the village built on soap here or search #PortSunlightStories on social media for more fascinating snippets of history.