Chesterfield woman Florence Chettle, 102, remembers dancing all night on VE Day

A 102-year-old has shared her happy memories of partying on VE Day until the next morning!
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Florence Chettle, who lives in Holmewood Nursing Home, Chesterfield, was living in New Baysford, Nottingham, in those days, says her daughter, Helen Sabin.

She served in the Royal Army Pay Corps and her maiden name was Florence Morley.

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Frank, Florence’s fiance, who served in the RAF as a meteorologist, managed to get home on leave and the couple got married in January 1945, before he returned to duty.

Florence Chettle, right, during the war years, when she worked in the Royal Army Pay CorpsFlorence Chettle, right, during the war years, when she worked in the Royal Army Pay Corps
Florence Chettle, right, during the war years, when she worked in the Royal Army Pay Corps

Later, Chesterfield-born Frank was headteacher at Tapton House School and the couple moved away from the area, then retired back to Chesterfield.

Florence writes: “I have just celebrated my 102nd birthday and can still vividly remember VE Day. It was a wonderful feeling and one of the best days of my life.

“We had been living in darkness for five years – no lights, no music outside, blackout curtains and not much fun.

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“So, when it was announced that the war was over, there was great jubilation and celebration. We went into Nottingham city centre and all the local bands played for singing and dancing.

Florence, third from left, front row, with Royal Army Pay Corps colleaguesFlorence, third from left, front row, with Royal Army Pay Corps colleagues
Florence, third from left, front row, with Royal Army Pay Corps colleagues

“All the streetlamps were lit, the lights in houses and shops were switched on and we danced all night with hundreds of other people.

“We did not get home till the morning.

“Such a feeling of jubilation and relief that we all felt was so amazing and one I will never forget.”

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