Victory over Japan Day, we attended the moving service at the war memorial. During the ceremony(Images attached) Father Jim reflected on the many sacrifices made both overseas and on the home front, including the devastating impact of the atomic bombs. He also noted that the celebrations at the time were not on the same scale as those of VE Day, for many different reasons. Nevertheless, Kidwelly marked the occasion with its own heartfelt celebrations—commemorating not only VJ Day but also the end of the Second World War and the dawn of a new chapter. Below is a transcript from a local newspaper published in August 1945, offering a snapshot of those historic celebrations…
“Victory Celebrations. – VJ-Day was celebrated at Kidwelly in truly victory style, and never before in all its history has the town experienced such joyous scenes. The streets were gaily beflagged with flags of the Allied Nations, bunting, etc., while the business premises also looked picturesque. The ancient Castle, St. Mary’s Church, Borough Offices, War Memorial and Cinema were flood-lit during the week. Water-street first commenced celebrating with an impromptu carnival, and the whole town then took up the outing fever, with the result that every one came involved in some fun or other. Street teas were held in the various districts, collections being made to augment the funds, and here the general public gave generously so that the whole population, both young and old, should have a real good time. At Ferry-road the weather proved unfavourable, but Mr. Melville White kindly loaned his garage, where the children spent a highly enjoyable time, also the old-age pensioners. A feature of the tea was that two ex-mayors were present as old-age pensioners, viz., Messrs. Henry Wilkins and W. I. Williams, while Kidwelly’s county councillor, Mr. J. Amos Jones, was also present. The children of Lower Station-road were given a Victory tea on the Green. The weather on this occasion also proved unfavourable, and the tea was held in the garage kindly lent by Messrs. Stephens’ Silica Brick Co., Ltd., when 70 children present, and all enjoyed really good fare. Each child was also handed a packet of sweets, ice-cream and 1s. 6d. in money. All afterwards lined up and marched to the local War Memorial to lay posies of flowers in memory of the Kidwelly boys who had fallen in both wars. The Mayor (Ald. T. W. Thomas, J.P.) was also present, and gave an appropriate address. Similar functions were held in all the other streets, and thanks are due to all the various street organisers who worked so hard to ensure the success of all the functions. In the evening an open-air concert was held at the Parking-ground, where a large crowd gathered. Solos and community singing took place, all being in merry mood. The accompanist was Arthur G. Davies, of the Royal Navy, who has seen much, considerable active service, serving in H.M.S. Kelly, under Lord Louis Mountbatten, which was torpedoed. The piano was kindly loaned by Mr. Rees Davies, White Lion Hotel. The event went on until the early hours of the morning. Thus Kidwelly was in joyous mood throughout the week, while on Saturday there was a grand final climax, when one of the largest carnivals ever seen in the town was held. Headed by the Mynydd y Garreg Silver Band with a gala procession through the town, and hundreds lining the streets. They had many original and up-to-date characters, and some brought forth roars of laughter. The prizes for the judging took place, the judges being:—Ladies: Mrs. (Dr.) Clift Pearce, Mrs. H. E. Smart, Mrs. J. Jones and Mrs. R. Howells. Gents: Mr. P. R. Squires and Mr. Alfred Price. Children’s sports followed. The Mayor gave all the prizes for the events, and is to be thanked for his generous gesture. During the evening another open-air concert was held at the Parking-ground, the soloists being Mr. William Jones (bass), Mr. Vincent Thomas (baritone), Miss Gaynor Mathews (soprano), Mr. Ned Richards (tenor), Mr. Tallylyn John (tenor) and Mr. Harold John (baritone). There was also the usual community singing, L.A.C. D. R. John, R.A.F., presiding, while the accompanist was Mr. Arthur G. Davies. The Mayor paid a really great tribute to the people of Kidwelly, who had done so well during the celebrations. He said the whole town had co-operated, he said, on all sides, and no place in the country had done better than “Ye Ancient Boro.” He hoped that all present would attend a service at St. Mary’s Church on the following afternoon to thank God for victory and those who had been spared to return home again. The crowd sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” and the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.
Special Service. – On Sunday afternoon, at St. Mary’s Church, a service of thanksgiving was held, which was attended by the Mayor (Ald. T. W. …)”