High Life Highland opens archives to commemorate VE Day 75 years on
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HIGH Life Highland is helping commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day online by releasing fascinating documents from the momentous period.
The Highland Council charity which runs culture, learning, leisure and health services across the region operates the Highland Archive Centre at the Bught in Inverness.
To remember sacrifices made by the armed forces and merchant navy during World War II, archive staff have been digging deep to find photos and documents to share on social media.
Photos in the archive show that on VE Day - 8 May 1945 - the 154 Brigade of the 51st Highland Division moved into an area near Bremerhaven where it disarmed German troops.
Four days later, they held a victory parade in the city.
Another photo shows Loch Eriboll, one of the surrender rendezvous points for German submarines.
Highland Archive Centre documents from World War Two include a letter sent by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother after the war to thank householders for hosting evacuees.
The letter notes that through this “unselfish task” people had sacrificed their own comfort and done work of great value to the state.
Also highlighted is an extract from Marybank School log book, recording the two days’ holiday taken to celebrate the end of the war.
High Life Highland chief executive Steve Walsh OBE, who is also an ex-RAF wing commander, said: “As a veteran myself, and on behalf of our board and staff, I would like to offer my respects and gratitude to all of those who gave all in the face of a mortal enemy.
“Sadly, there are many parallels in what we are facing today.
“Thank you to the High Life Highland team for helping to commemorate this event.
“The photos and documents being highlighted by our archive colleagues show how people from this area, like everyone in our country, were affected by the war.”
