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‘BIG PARTY’: Kings Langley war veteran remembers VE Day celebrations in London

 Published on: 14th June 2025   |   By: News Bulletin   |   Category: Uncategorized

A war veteran from Kings Langley shared the moment she watched the royal family waving from the balcony at Buckingham Palace on VE Day.

Joyce Goulborn served with the Auxiliary Territorial Services, the women’s branch of the British Army.

She told BBC News: “I kept applying to sign up but every time I filled in the form, my father would burn it in the fire. I was finally conscripted in 1943.”

Joyce, now 101, was working as a telephone switchboard operator in London on May 8, 1945. Upon hearing that the war in Europe was over, she headed down to Buckingham Palace after her shift.

King George VI, the Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret appeared on the royal balcony to crowds of people cheering and celebrating.

Joyce said: “There was a big party happening in Trafalgar Square later, but I had to be back on duty. There was still a job to be done.”

Photo: Royal Society 

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