VE celebrations for all
Date of release: 8 May 2025
Celebrations have been held across Walsall and Wolverhampton NHS Trusts to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Beryl and Julia
The RWT Charity at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Well Wishers charity at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust worked with their Chaplaincy and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion teams and Armed Forces staff to acknowledge the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945.
All elderly patients across New Cross, Cannock Chase and Walsall Manor Hospitals were offered cake as part of their lunch. Patients at Walsall were offered a special afternoon tea.
Patient Sandra Payne, 72, was admitted to hospital recently with a pain in her leg. She is on C18 while tests are carried out.
She said: “It’s a really lovely thought. Thank you.”
Staff at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust were able to attend a drop-in event in the WMI at New Cross Hospital and this included fish and chips for staff, displays of photos and war memorabilia and war time songs performed by the RWT Choir.
VE Celebrations at Fairoak
At Cannock Chase Hospital, Fairoak Ward organised a special buffet lunch, a poppy making session and put together a trolley with war memorabilia for patients.
Amanda Evans, Occupational Therapist Assistant, spent two weeks planning the celebrations for her patients.
She said: “I think it is so important to mark this historical event. It is close to my heart as my great-great grandfather – Private Sidney Thomas Devall - was killed in action in France. He had been in the army for two and a half years and was only 22 when he died.
“We have so much for the patients to get involved with including a trolley full of memorabilia, featuring a paper from VE day. There is also a 1939 yearbook to look through and a DVD to watch at leisure.
“It has been fabulous to see everyone enjoying themselves and the atmosphere has been really wonderful.”
Patient Elaine Parry from Lichfield said: “It has been absolutely lovely. Keeping the tradition alive is so important so to see staff all coming together like this has been fantastic.
Sandra and Rachel
“The information on show was all very interesting and well thought out. It was nice to see.”
Alan Duffell, Group Chief People Officer, said: “I served in the RAF for just over 22 years, before I joined the NHS. I fully understand the challenges placed on Armed Forces personnel and the commitments they are required to make in an ever-changing world, which in many cases will take them away from home for long periods of time.
“As such, I fully recognise the debt and appreciation we all owe to past and present members of the armed forces and I would personally like to say thank you.
“I’d like to thank our Armed Forces Community (AFC) Networks, plus our charities (Well Wishers and The RWT Charity) and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion teams for helping the Trusts to mark VE Day 80.
“And as always I’d also like to thank the Armed Forces staff – we appreciate your service, both to the people of Walsall and Wolverhampton and to our country.”
