"It's now here. Germany radio this afternoon says it is over but nothing official has come through yet by BBC. Churchill is expected to make a speech and everyone is going to be mighty pleased about things including me."
Dad joined up at the start of the war aged 21. He kept a diary throughout the war along with other newspaper cuttings etc. I recently transcribed it with pictures and would be happy for the Museum to have an electronic copy – over 80 pages.
He was in the RAOC with 8th Army and drove his lorry across North Africa then up through Italy. I have a photo of him in St Marks Square, Venice on V-DAY.
Dad died in 2009 but he was never one to talk about the war much. Reading the diary has been a real eye opener.
Transcript:
2nd May
Berlin fallen. Hitler dead also Goebbels
[Document - Allied Force Headquarters - 2 May 1945]
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Forces in the Mediterranean Theatre
After nearly two years of hard and continuous fighting which started in Sicily in the summer of 1943, you stand today as the victors of the Italian campaign.
You have won a victory which has ended in the complete and utter rout of the German armed forces in the Mediterranean. By clearing Italy of the last Nazi aggressor, you have liberated a country of over 40,000,000 people.
Today the remnants of a once proud Army have laid down their arms to you - close on a million men with all their arms, equipment and impedimenta.
You may well be proud of this great and victorious campaign which will long live in history as one of the greatest and most successful ever waged.
No praise is high enough for you sailors, airmen and workers of the United Foreces in Italy for your magnificent triumph.
My gratitude to you and my admiration is unbounded and only equalled by the pride which is mine in being your Commander-in-Chief.
[signature - HR Alexander]
5th May - Mestre
Moved up to within 8 miles of Venice and have had a long day in the town. Beautiful place which doesn't know there is a war on except for strict rationing. Moving up shortly to Trieste so let's hope it's out our last stop in Italy.
8th May - End of war in Germany
It's now here. Germany radio this afternoon says it is over but nothing official has come through yet by BBC. Churchill is expected to make a speech and everyone is going to be mighty pleased about things including me.
Let's buck up and get home the sooner the better. You can keep all your lti towns for being back in London with the folks. Beautiful weather now and it's a treat to go out in the country in the evenings among green fields.
Reg hasn't caught us up yet, but he is probably being messed about in transit camps. We shall have settled at Trieste by time he comes along. Churchill is speaking at 3:00 this afternoon and everyone knocks off work then. Silly us working this morning but there you are some Colonels don't like to see you hanging about.
9th May
Official day off today. Speech by the Colonel at 10, dinner at 1.00 and out to Venice by 2. Hot as can be today and not feeling much like walking about more like sitting down and walking watching the people go by.
Great festivities in village of Mestre outside Venice with dancing in main square till almost midnight.
Moving some of the lorries up to near Trieste tomorrow so it won't be long now before we are all up there.
10th
Taffy has gone forward with first party two small village about 12 miles from Trieste. Won't be long before we are all up there now. Hope so anyway as we are simply being mucked about here. It's bally hot with battle dress on this weather, K.D. would be welcome
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