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Tony Snow was 9-years-old in May 1945, and lived on Horse Fair Street, Charlton Kings in Cheltenham. Tony鈥檚 parents had an old fashioned grocery shop which opened seven days a week.

Although only a boy Tony helped out serving people selling alcohol and tobacco. There were no fridges, but a larder which kept cheese and butter cool.

Tony is the boy in the middle of the photograph looking directly at the camera wearing a shirt, tie and blazer. He remembers some of the other children pictured surrounding him.

Over 60 children and adults assembled for the photograph on Horse Fair Street. St Mary鈥檚 Church can be seen in the background with The Royal Charlton Kings pub hanging the Union Flag on the right hand side.

Prior to the photograph being taken the children had running races in the street.

After VE Day, Tony remembers enjoying his first ice cream but disliking his first banana.

It was a huge relief that war in Europe was over. Although Charlton Kings was not badly bombed, hearing about the atrocities in the news was enough to frighten any child.

Tony kept a copy of the local newspaper from VE Day. The Echo on Tuesday 8 May 1945 had the headline: 鈥淭he World Surrenders to VE Day Joy! A nightmare has passed we can breathe again and Cheltenham lets itself go.鈥�

Image: Courtesy of The Gloucestershire Echo

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