Looking ahead to the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on May 8, the team at y Gaer are highlighting some wonderful photos of Brecon and surrounding areas during World War Two – and asking for your help too.

“In the Brecknock Museum collection at y Gaer we have fascinating photos recording the area’s contribution to the war effort,” explained Collections Officer Jacquie Morgan. “But we have no photos showing VE Day celebrations, so we’re hoping some readers might have photos that they could show us.”

“Many of our monthly articles in this paper have prompted readers to get in touch with further information, and we really appreciate the support of local people who help us add to our collections,” added Jacquie. “We’re hoping we can find items relating to VE Day, which we can then display on digital screens in the main Portico museum area of y Gaer for everyone to see during the VE Day Anniversary commemorations.”

Y Gaer will be holding a special day, on Monday, March 24, between 10am and 1pm, when people can bring in any photos or ephemera about VE Day or World War Two to show us. “We’re really looking forward to finding out about your memorabilia,” enthused Jacquie. “We’d be delighted if we could take copies of your photos to display on digital screen. Anyone who would like to donate items is also very welcome to do so, and we would be delighted to receive them if they add to the collection. All items received into the collection will be carefully preserved and used to add to our knowledge of this important part of our history.”

Weapons for War Week in 1941 was an important fund-raising campaign for rearming after the loss of so much equipment at Dunkirk. People were encouraged to save in War Bonds, National War Bonds, and similar Government schemes, with marches, events, and other publicity urging people to invest. People felt they were doing their bit for the war effort, local targets were set, and there was great community spirit as areas campaigned to meet their targets.

“Two splendid photos show a huge bottle in the Bulwark in Brecon emblazoned with the slogan ‘Lend to buy Hitler’s knockout dose’, and an enormous gauge outside Lloyds Bank which showed the progress of the fundraising as the total increased up the gauge,” said Jacquie. “ARP vehicles and uniformed personnel paraded through town, as did a group in partial uniform that looks like Home Guard.”

Another vital aspect of war work was the Women’s Land Army, and we have a lovely photo of five local Land Army girls. “Maybe someone knows who these ladies are,” said Jacquie, “Or has their own story about Land Girls in our area.”

If you have any photos, ephemera, or objects relating to VE Day, or can add to the information here, come along to one of the special days at y Gaer, or get in touch with Jacquie, who would be delighted to hear from you.

Contact the team at [email protected] (FAO Jacquie Morgan)