Double celebration for Wigan man born on VE Day

Victor Johnson, from Abram, was born on the exact day six years of conflict in Europe came to an end in 1945 and is therefore celebrating three quarters of a century on the anniversary.

Victor has always been keen to celebrate his special day in patriotic fashion and has pulled out all the stops for the milestone occasion, with plenty of bunting on show at his Shelley Drive home.

And the family will also be getting together for a wartime -themed birthday party, although they will have to follow social distancing and obey the government guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Victor, whose arrival in the world on such a momentous day is reflected in his name, said his parents William and Catherine Johnson rarely spoke to him about the circumstances of his birth at the conclusion of World War Two.

However, he was keen to speak about the importance of keeping the memory of those who fought and died between 1939 and 1945 alive and of learning lessons from history.

He said: “It’s nice to know that on that day the war ended. Hopefully we won’t be having any more and that will never happen again, because I’ve read a lot about it and it was very bad.

“However, I would say we are in almost as bad a situation with Covid-19. At least we’re not on rationing and hopefully that is not going to be needed.

“I’ve got pictures of the street parties that went on for VE Day, when everybody joined in together and put tables down the middle of the street.

“My parents never spoke much about it. They might have wanted to block it from their mind, I don’t know. By the time I remember things most of life was getting back to normal.”

Victor has previously held large parties which also commemorate VE Day for his 50th and 60th birthdays.

Although his relatives will have to stay a few feet apart and gather around the front of his home, there will still be wartime music and an afternoon tea this time round.

Victor said: “I’ve got my Dame Vera Lynn CDs and I’ve got Winston Churchill’s speeches as well. It’s a big day for our family.”

Victor did a range of jobs during his life but spent the last 17 years of his career as a sales rep for a company trading in nails and screws.

Victor lives with his wife Joan, 73, and the couple have a daughter, Angela, sons Dean and Scott, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Angela said: “It’s really important for us as a family to mark VE Day and dad’s birthday.

“I think my dad has put up enough bunting for the entire street, although it really does look fantastic.

“We will have to remain socially distanced but will be sharing in the celebration.”