Forres events to mark VE Day - the end of World War II in Europe

Forres will remember the end of the Second World War with local events on Thursday, May 8 - AKA Victory in Europe Day.

VE Day marks the formal acceptance by the Allies in Europe (Great Britain, the United States, and Russia) of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on that date in 1945, when Germany surrendered all military operations.

Celebrations erupted across the UK and the continent - including in Forres - where the victory was heralded with street parties, dancing, and singing.

Eighty years on, few of the war’s survivors remain but their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are keeping the memory of that great day alive.

The VE Day flag will be raised by Billy Laing, while the bell will be rung at the Tolbooth by well-known Forres volunteer and former leader of Moray Council, George Alexander, at 6.30pm.

Other Forres Heritage Trust members and a contingent from 39 Engineer Regiment will be in attendance. All members of the general public are invited.

A piper will play the official tune for the last commemoration of VE Day ‘Celebratum’ as well as ‘The Battle's O'er’.

There will then follow a reading of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s Victory speech by current Moray Council leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative).

She said: “This VE Day 80 commemoration is particularly poignant as we were unable to commemorate as we had hoped for the 75 year mark as it fell during Covid.

“It may be one of the last times we have veterans with lived experience remembering alongside us, so a great turnout would be a lovely testament to what our armed forces did for us to enjoy the freedoms of today.”

Forres and District Pipe band will then lead a procession down to the Royal British Legion (Scotland) for a tea party with light refreshments.

Elsewhere, a beacon will be lit at Findhorn pier at 9.30pm and Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North (EVACN) will hold a ceremony at the War Memorial.

An EVACN spokesperson added: “Following the service, members will return to the centre to reflect on the events of 80 years ago, marking the end of the war in Europe.

“May 8 is a day of both remembrance and reflection - joy for peace, yet sorrow for those who never came home. We honour and salute every individual who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Outgoing Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, hopes as many people as they can will take part in activities around Moray to commemorate those who gave their lives or were injured.

He finished: “Also to celebrate the famous victory in which the whole country played a part!”