BBC Essex SpecialPearl Long’s Story

Pearl Long attended a VE Day party at Ensham School. Some of her memories – in her own words – “wouldn’t go on tape”. Her father, John Long, was a driver in the army and was at the Belson Prisoner of War camp. On VE Day, they opened the camp; freeing the prisoners and tried to help the survivors, and dealt with the corpses. John’s entire unit was given a bottle of spirit that night. He was given a bottle of brandy and his comment in a letter home said: "I had the mother of all hangovers; no man should have been asked to see what we have seen today." Image: VE Day street party held in the playground of Ensham School, Franciscan Road in Tooting London SW17