Group of soldiers and civilians celebrating on Briggate in May 1945. The soldiers are carrying an effigy of Adolf Hitler, a noose is being held up behind the head of the guy. The soldiers are in jovial mood, all carrying bottles of beer, the man on the right is giving a drink to the woman next to him.placeholder image
Group of soldiers and civilians celebrating on Briggate in May 1945. The soldiers are carrying an effigy of Adolf Hitler, a noose is being held up behind the head of the guy. The soldiers are in jovial mood, all carrying bottles of beer, the man on the right is giving a drink to the woman next to him. | YPN

VE Day commemorated: How Leeds celebrated freedom from fear

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 8th May 2025, 04:45 GMT

“THE EUROPEAN WAR IS OVER AND THIS IS VE-DAY AND A HOLIDAY” read the front page headline.

Leeds celebrated in style - with street parties and a victory parade - as six long years of bitter struggle came to an end. It is interesting to note that the term ‘VE Day’ existed as early as September 1944, in anticipation of the Allied victory. These photos - a mix from Leeds Library & Information Service run photographic archive Leodis and the YEP archive - showcase how your city celebrated freedom from fear. READ MORE: 15 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

A street party held at Beaufort Place off Roundhay Road in Sheepscar.

13. Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A street party held at Beaufort Place off Roundhay Road in Sheepscar. | YPN Photo: YPN

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Many of the street parties held to celebrate the end of the war had the excitement of a bonfire as darkness fell. After years of black-out restrictions a bonfire was a great delight to young and old.

14. Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Many of the street parties held to celebrate the end of the war had the excitement of a bonfire as darkness fell. After years of black-out restrictions a bonfire was a great delight to young and old. | YPN Photo: YPN

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Share your feedback - good and bad - with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: andrew.hutchinson@jpress.co.uk or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN

15. Enjoyed this gallery?

Share your feedback - good and bad - with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN | YPN Photo: YPN

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