VP Day: A ceremony and a celebration
In preparation for Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day), the then Prime Minister Ben Chifley made it known to Federal Cabinet that the celebrations should see, as one newspaper put it, the Australian public “give vent to their jubilation and hold appropriate organised celebrations.” These selected series of photographs, whilst a small collection within the Australian War Memorials Photographic collection, capture a look into this period of both unbridled joy and celebration, coupled with the sombre commemoration which seized Australians, as the nation waved goodbye to The Second World War and welcomed the idea of peace.
These photographs donated by local newspapers of the day, official and amateur photographers a like, highlight how the everyday Australian took part in the numerous parades and ceremonies held around the Country on August 15th and 16th, 1945. Memorial services were held for tributes to all Australian Armed Forces and the Allied Forces who had taken part in the Second World War. Comparatively, we see the other side of Victory in the Pacific Day, which included partying, dancing, drunken revelry and what looks like overwhelming relief for Australians everywhere. Reading through newspaper articles surrounding the celebrations of VP Day back in 1945, there is a real sense that each council, state and territory government bodies pursued and even demanded the need for organised but extensive celebrations. And by the looks of these pictures, they achieved the celebrations that they had long awaited for.
Whilst these are mostly photographs taken in main cities, it should be noted that unfortunately there are currently no photographs held in the collection that were shot in Tasmania during the VP Day celebrations. From Darwin to Queensland, this is how Australia celebrated and commemorated Victory Day in the Pacific.
Victoria
A couple dances the ‘Jitterbug’ in the middle of Swanston Street, Melbourne, during Victory in the Pacific Day celebrations, August 15th 1945.
A large crowd gathers at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, for the Victory in the Pacific Memorial Service held on August 16th 1945.
South Australia
An elevated view of the enormous crowd who turned out to celebrate VP Day, on a street in Adelaide. Mixed into the throng of people are Defence Personnel and Australian civilians. August 15th 1945. Photographer: Advertiser Newspapers Limited
Western Australia
A group of unidentified men and women holding handmade ‘VP Day’ signs and celebrating in Perth, August 15th 1945. Photographer: WA Newspapers Ltd
Two Australian men take a drink from a keg during the Victory in the Pacific celebrations held in Perth. The man on the right is wearing a prosthetic limb in place of one arm suggesting he is probably a returned serviceman. Photographer: WA Newspapers Ltd
Queensland
Spectators line the street, watching the procession of vehicles as it passes along a Proserpine street on VP day. Children run and ride decorated bicycles behind the last vehicle which is a Ford Queensland Transport Board ambulance, clearly marked with a white stripe around the mudguards, so that it is visible at night. The second last vehicle has hand painted signs hanging from it.
A crowd of civilians and servicemen break are seen skipping and dancing during Victory in the Pacific Day on, George Street outside the Criterion Hotel. This image is from the collection of 23650 Sergeant Clifford Vernon James Potter RAAF, who served as a photographer with 8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg, Queensland.
Northern Territory
A wrecked truck that saw the brunt of the Victory in the Pacific Day celebrations, crashed at the RAAF Base in Darwin. This photograph was taken later on 26th of February 1946. Photographer: Keith Benjamin Davis.
The morning after the party. Empty beer bottles strewn along Mindil Beach, Darwin, after the Army celebrated VP Day. Photographer: William Bruce Copland Mackie
New South Wales
A view of the packed crowd gathered in Martin Place, Sydney after peace was declared on August 15th, 1945.
Men enjoying throwing streamers at one another, whilst sitting on a Dodge truck driving down a street in Sydney during the Victory in the Pacific Day celebrations.
Australian Capital Territory
The National Thanksgiving Service at the Australian War Memorial, to mark the occasion of the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific, VP Day, 16th August 1945. View of service looking from the steps of the War Memorial.
Official guests participating in the National Thanksgiving Service at the Australian War Memorial, in Canberra, to mark the occasion of the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific, VP Day, 16th August 1945.