VE Day – Rochdale 1945

Whilst everyone is trying adapt to the changes brought about by the Covid-19 crisis, members of our neighbourhood forum wanted to contribute to the VE Day commemoration by creating a record on our website of local events from the summer of 1945. Different sources suggest the mood at that time was a mixture of emotions – relief, joy, exhaustion, foreboding, reflection, sadness, anger, etc.

Lessons of War, by Matt McGinn

While you review this page, please have a listen to “When Will We Learn” from the “Lessons of War” album by Matt McGinn. The forum trustees are grateful to Matt for giving his permission to include this track on our website. We hope you agree it is right to make the invisible visible for a short while and that this music serves as a poignant reminder.

Rochdale’s Victory Parade, Sunday 13th May 1945

This archive film shows Rochdale’s Victory Parade and the troops, nurses, civilians etc. marching past Rochdale Town Hall on a wet day. Thanks to Rochdale Borough Council, Link4Life and the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University for giving permission to display this film.

Rochdale’s Victory Parade Sunday 13th May 1945 from NWfilmarchive on Vimeo.

Rochdale Observer VE Day Victory Supplement, printed 12th May 1945

From an article in 2015 by Damon Wilkinson who covers Rochdale for the Manchester Evening News

VE Day celebrations in Rochdale town centre, Sunday 13th May 1945

From an article in 2015 by Damon Wilkinson who covers Rochdale for the Manchester Evening News

Sea Cadets march during a victory parade in Rochdale town centre, Sunday 13th May 1945

From an article in 2015 by Damon Wilkinson who covers Rochdale for the Manchester Evening News

The British Legion march during a victory parade in Rochdale town centre, Sunday 13th May 1945

From an article in 2015 by Damon Wilkinson who covers Rochdale for the Manchester Evening News