|
V.E. Day in Halifax and the Riots that followed
This page is not to recount all the known historical facts on the Halifax riot but to share the photos and memories of sailors who served during the Second World War and were witness to this event.
The Battle of Halifax & The Civilian's Lament Author Unknown
(HS105) V.E. Celebrations at the Commons in Halifax
(HS106) Parades through the streets of Halifax ... (HS107) spectators watching from Citadel Hill ... (HS108) Civilians and Military personnel celebrating in the streets ... (HS109) Some celebrating a little too much...
..... then the riots ensued
.... after the riots
(HS114) The streets are deserted, shops broken into and vandalized ....
From the collection of Howard Samuel (Sandy) Sanderson, CPO, RCNVR
Wartime Memories of John Dingwall, ERA, RCNVR: V.E. Day - John was in Halifax when the war ended and witnessed many of the events of the V.E. Day riot in Halifax. He saw a streetcar set on fire, and when the fire department arrived to put the fire out, rioters grabbed an axe and cut the fire hoses, then released the brakes on the streetcar and set it rolling down the hill towards the dockyard. One of the sailors off John's ship went into the old brewery and took a case of beer (quarts). Shortly afterwards he got into a fight and was arrested - and never even got to enjoy any of his beer. Another group of rioters stole a couch from Eatons, put it on the curb and sat down and drank while watching the riots.
Letter by SBA Donald Douglas to his family about the V.E. Day Riots.
From the collection of Joseph Vincent Wesley, CPO Shipwright, RCNVR
(FM564-FM565) François Messier and friend posing with a newspaper for an "end of the war" photo
- - - - - - - - - -
(FM566-FM614) Civilians, sailors, soldiers and airmen alike watching parades, listening to music and dancing .......
and then the riots started .......
(FM615-FM620) - 3 photos and 3 newspaper articles on the riots
From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR
Courtesy of Denis Messier
Crowds in Dartmouth looted the Church Street liquor commission and Boland's warehouse, carrying cartons of beer in triumph Halifax Herald - 08 May 1945
Enjoying stolen beer at a park in Halifax during the V.E. Day riots
From the collection of William (Bill) Dougall, LTO (LP), RCNVR
Courtesy of Grant Dougall
The Kellock Inquiry blames the Navy for the V.E. Day Riots
Royal Commission to Inquire into the Disorders at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Vicinity thereof, During a Celebration of the Declaration of Victory over Germany on the 7th and 8th May, 1945
Click on the above image to view the commission's report (external link)
|
