The email was sparked by the tragic destruction of the hotel in a fire last month.
“This happened when he was a little boy, on Monday, May 7, 1945. It was the end of the war in Europe,” Mrs Morris said.
The email read:
“After Dad and Mum finished the milking and had dinner we drove to Girgarre. This was rather unusual as it was some time since we had sold our farm at Girgarre and purchased the farm at Tongala East. Also, we never went out at night during the week unless it was something special.
Tonight I was to find out that Dad was going to a ‘Smoke Night’ at the Girgarre RSL. These were regular meetings when the return soldiers got together for a talk and a few drinks. Dad was going with an old friend Mr Dunstall, who had a transport business mainly carting milk and cattle. Dad was an inaugural member of the Girgarre RSL started many years ago.
Mum and I stayed with Mrs Dunstall. My Mum and Mrs Dunstall talked about old times, the war and many other things. I remember the time was getting late and the ladies were beginning worry. It was after midnight.
At about 1:30am Mr Dunstall and Dad arrived home, they were very merry after a number of drinks. The news was that the Germans had surrender in Europe and the war had ended. Everyone was so happy.
We got into our Ford V8 coupe and headed back to Tongala East. Instead of Dad driving directly home he headed to the Kyabram West Hotel, a country hotel half way between Kyabram and Tongala, about three miles from home.
Dad stopped at the hotel and banged on the door to wake up Mr Kimpton. Mr Kimpton and his wife were good friends of ours. Mr Kimpton opened the door, remember this was about four in the morning, he was not too happy about being woken up. Dad told him the war was over.
Well, all the lights were turned on and the hotel was opened, it didn’t close for two days.
We drove home at sun-up so Dad could milk the cows. Later in the day we went back to the hotel. I remember that just about everyone I knew was there, all the farmers, wives and children from the surrounding district were there.
I remember hearing the Northern Dairy Factory whistle was blowing all day, until the boiler ran out of steam.
Of course we had a school holiday.
Eventually the full story arrived that the Germans had unconditionally surrendered. Hitler and his mistress Eva Braun had committed suicide in a Berlin bunker on April 20 and the Russians had entered Berlin on May 2. On the same day, the Germans in Italy had surrendered.
The eighth day of May was called VE Day (Victory in Europe).’’
John Lane
Melbourne
10°C