How Peterborough celebrated peace in Europe at last – pictures from the city on VE Day in 1945

Seventy-five years ago the people of Peterborough turned out in their thousands to mark the end of six years of war.

The Peterborough Advertiser’s front page was headlined PEACE COMES TO EUROPE AT LONG LAST.

Another story on the page was headlined: HOW PETERBOROUGH RECEIVED THE NEWS.

That story read:

Never previously have the streets of Peterborough been thronged with such happy crowds as on Tuesday afternoon.

There had been many people about in the morning and a huge congregation filled the cathedral for the brief service held at 11 am as Thanksgiving for Victory and Peace.

By the early afternoon the streets around Market Place were almost impassable and the Hill was packed by those waiting to hear the Prime Minister’s announcement over the loud speakers set up on the front of the Old Town Hall.

Today’s Looking Back pictures show some of the thousands who gathered outside the cathedral. Another picture shows some US servicemen, complete with their nation’s flag, marching past the town hall during the VE parade.

Happy residents are photographed joining in the celebrations on English Street in Millfield.