Obviously many servicemen were still overseas and looking forward to coming home, some after many years away were delighted by the sudden end to the conflict.

My father was an Artillery Officer in the Solomons and had been on active service since early 1942 and when the end was announced he and an enlisted soldier and their rescued US jeep drove down to the coast and obtained a supply of long necks for his troops in the hills.

After a few beers at the US base he was invited to stay at the officers mess so his watch could be repaired for the next day. He sent the driver back to share the beer with the troops, and pick him up the next day.

Unfortunately his batman in his jeep on his return with the beer hit a mine and was killed, which was then the day after the war ended. The faulty watch saved my father's life, but what a sad end to the war.

Ian Little

Port Macquarie