Posted on August 13, 2025

On August 15 1945, a wave of relief and celebration swept over Liverpool as news of Japan’s unconditional surrender filled the streets. After six long years of war, Emperor Hirohito’s broadcast marked the end of a brutal conflict. The city, eager to embrace the peace, declared a VJ Day holiday, shutting down shops and businesses so everyone could join in the festivities.

The day of rejoicing kicked off at 9 a.m. with the bells of the Municipal Building on Dale Street ringing out, echoing across the city. Lively music was broadcast through loudspeakers at St. George’s Plateau and the Town Hall, drawing tens of thousands of people into the heart of the city. St. George’s Plateau became the epicentre of the celebration, with massive crowds dancing and revelling in the hope for a lasting peace. Lime Street came to a complete standstill as people spontaneously gathered, their collective jubilation halting all traffic. In a moment of pure, unbridled excitement, one serviceman fired his pistol into the air, and the crowd roared with cheers.

Lord Sefton, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, cut his holiday short in Lancaster to deliver a Victory Address from the Town Hall balcony to a huge crowd. Thousands of citizens gathered on Castle Street an hour before he was even due to appear, underlining their anticipation. When he emerged, the crowd, described by the Liverpool Daily Post as a “large happy, thankful-and sober-crowd,” listened in silence, punctuated only by cheers at key moments. The city was unusually still, with “not a jarring note of traffic nor a hooter from the river interrupted” the historic moment.

Pictured above: Lord Mayor, Hugh Osbert Molyneux – the Earl of Sefton, whose residence was Croxteth Hall.

In his speech, Lord Sefton paid tribute Liverpool’s role in the war, its citizens, and its alliance with the United Nations. He expressed gratitude to the armed forces and the Merchant Navy, acknowledging their sacrifices. He also urged everyone to remember those who had lost their lives in the struggle.

The mayor’s formality, however, gave way to a moment of brilliant spontaneity that made the event truly special. After inviting a few key dignitaries to the balcony, he realized the Royal Air Force was not represented. When the crowd shouted, “What about the Air Force?” Lord Sefton quickly beckoned an RAF member from the street below to join them. This was just the beginning. An alderman, future Lord Mayor Luke Hogan, then signalled to a sailor, First Class Stoker J.R. Baker, who bounded up the great staircase two steps at a time, a loaf of bread still in his hand. “Had to queue up for bread on VJ-Day- what d’you think of that!” he exclaimed to the dignitaries, earning the biggest cheer of the day from the crowd below.

The impromptu spectacle continued as a private soldier, an American officer, and a WRNS officer (Priscilla Bullock, the Earl of Derby’s granddaughter and TV presenter Clare Balding’s grandmother) were all invited to the balcony. They were followed by a Marine, a Canadian soldier, a Polish airman, and women from the ATS and WAAF, each greeted with roaring cheers from the crowd.

Pictured above: Liverpool Town Hall and balcony in 2025, captured by Tobiah Tayo Photography

After the band played “God Save Our King” and “Land of Hope and Glory,” the crowd dispersed into the city, where impromptu dancing broke out on the pavements. Sailors were joyfully “seized by a ring of young girls and danced around,” and many revellers sported red, white, and blue caps. As the sun set, the Town Hall and St. George’s Hall were illuminated, with the column lights of St. George’s Hall used for the first time in years. The celebrations continued deep into the warm, memorable August night.

While VJ Day was a moment of immense celebration, the months that followed brought home the true cost of the war. The conflict with Japan had claimed 90,332 British troops as casualties, with 29,968 dying from military action, disease, or starvation.

Between October and December 1945, Liverpool’s docks saw the emotional homecoming of 22 ships carrying 20,000 Far East Prisoners of War and over 1,000 civilians. These returning heroes, many of whom had endured unimaginable suffering, were greeted by civic dignitaries before being housed in repatriation camps near Liverpool, a final stop before their long-awaited journeys home.

Liverpool will come together this Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Visit Liverpool Express to find out more.

Pictured above: The Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW) Repatriation Memorial at the Pier Head

Written by Liverpool City Halls Tour Guide, James O’Keefe.

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