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Don Baldock remembers VE Day well; not because it represented victory in Europe, but because of his own personal victory.

In the streets of Woodbridge, a small town just east of Ipswich; families gathered for a party, and a series of running races were organised.

Don was just ten, but his long legs helped him win the under 12s race. Fresh from that victory he also went in the over 12s race, winning that too. He was only allowed to take one of the prizes home though as treats were still scarce so the boy who came second got the prize in the over 12s.

VE Day was also the first taste, and sight, for Don and his friends of bananas and oranges, bought home by local men who had been in the navy and merchant navy.

Don says that he and his friends had taken the war in their stride. They got used to sharing their school with evacuees from London and making regular visits to the nearby airbases to get treats from the airmen.

Image: Don Baldock