HEREFORD VE DAY PARADE

On Tuesday, 8th May 1945, Hereford (along with the rest of the country) celebrated VE Day. Fully illustrated posts of Hereford's Tuesday celebrations are HERE (PART ONE) and HERE (PART TWO). That weekend, Hereford staged a VE Parade:

Putting the band back together - although difficult to tell in black and white, this is probably
a collection of RAF musicians awaiting the start of the parade. Behind them, a good look at
some of the shops in High Town - amongst them, the Maypole Dairy, George Mason the grocer,
 and Fredricks.

Awaiting the dignitaries - a shot of the reviewing stand. The seated figures seem to
be wounded servicemen. We can now make out the shop between the Maypole Dairy
and George Mason, Grocer - "Frank Stewart", who is shut for the day.

Still waiting for the dignitaries. They'll be here soon.......

And here they are, exiting from Church Street in to High Town. This is the start
of the Mayor's Party, with the Town Hall "Chosen Men" carrying ceremonial staffs,
led by (probably) the Chief Constable of Police.

The Sword Bearer in robes, passing Wakefield Knight (drapers) and Boots.

The Mayor (with chain), accompanied by the Remembrancer (in wig) and Aldermen
 in procession, exiting from Church Street, between
Boots the Chemist and Scotts Radio.

The start of the parade - a party of smartly marching Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service)
The long frontage of Greenlands Department Store ("the Harrods of Herefordshire")
 in the background.

The Army. They could be Home Guard, but are more likely a select party of the
Herefordshire Regiment, who at this time (rather oddly) seem to have
had "Scottish Touries" as headgear.

Another Army Party, this time in berets rather than "Scottish Touries".

A party of "walking wounded" followed by representatives of the Home Guard (in sidecaps)

A very nice shot of the same parties passing the Reviewing Stand,
- "eyes right" to the Mayor and seated Councillors.

WRACS (Womens Royal Army Corps) or possibly WAAFS (Womens Auxiliary Air Force)

Two chaps find a spot for a better view. An Austin K2 ambulance on the right.

 

The Yanks are here! The Stars and Stripes in front of an American party.

Passing our informal reviewers (still clinging to the lampost)

And a last shot - a party from the Womens Land Army, a section of nurses, and then
a marching military Band.

Note - for more on the Mayor, City Council, Swordsman, Remembrancer and "Chosen Men" - see HERE