VE Day 75th anniversary: Kathlyn recalls being driven through Wick in Cuba's Cadillac
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A Wick woman has been recalling how she marked VE Day in 1945 by being driven through the streets of the town in a Cadillac as part of a victory procession.
Kathlyn Harper, now in her 90th year, was 14 at the time and has never forgotten the excitement of the crowds cheering and shouting after World War II in Europe came to an end.
Mrs Harper, of Whitehouse Park, was one of three girls who were taken through the streets of Wick in the back of a Cadillac after being asked to participate in the event.
"It was so exciting – everybody was screaming and shaking hands, they were just so delighted," she said. "It was a great affair with the place heaving with troops."
The Cadillac the girls were driven in was owned by well-known Wick man James Cormack, known locally as Cuba. He had a home at Kirkhill packed with items he had collected on his trips around the world. Among his posts was a time in Cuba where he worked as a British commissioner.
Mrs Harper, who has had a long association with Wick Players, remembers going along to the Groat office with the then editor's daughter, Tottie Millar, to pick up the costume she was going to wear for the procession in 1945.
"I had a crinoline dress with tiers of lavender silk and a lovely bonnet which had been lying in a basket for a long time," Mrs Harper said. "We had to sit in the back of Cuba's Cadillac with the roof down – that is my memory of VE Day.
"You can imagine that as a 14-year-old it was terrific."
Also taking part in the procession were the pipe band and some of the troops that were in the town.
It was so exciting – everybody was screaming and shaking hands, they were just so delighted.
Reflecting on what ultimately happened to the impressive American car, she said the Cadillac met a sad end over the rocks past the Trinkie pool.
Recalling the World War II operations in the town, Mrs Harper said: "When we were at the church we were used to having the WAAFs [Women's Auxiliary Air Force] and RAF folk coming down from the airport. Teas were provided upstairs.
"We had, and still have, a very large biscuit tin – a square box, nearly a foot tall. Mr Moore was the minister in those days and he used to keep sugar in that tin.
"Tommy Anderson was the provost at the time and the food officer. The Parish Church hall was taken over in the wartime as a food office. He went to the minister and said, 'I hear you are providing tea to the troops on a Sunday night,' and wanted to know where he was getting the sugar.
"We had so many ladies with boys off at the war who were only too happy to give their rations of sugar to the church.
"That tin is still in the vestry and I think I am one of the few alive who knows anything about it."
She went on to say that those who came down from the base at the airport were delighted with the tea and sandwiches which were served by the women of the church, and they became friends.
"Some of them went out in their planes from here and never came back," she recalled.
Mrs Harper added that many of the servicemen were still in the area the end of the war: "They did not vanish overnight."
Mrs Harper is able to keep up her exercise during lockdown by walking around her garden in the good weather. However, she is missing going to Wick St Fergus Church where she is a member of the choir.
Nationally, events to mark the 75th anniversary are taking place online due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a video message of thanks from the First Minister and a concert in addition to a service and two-minute silence today. Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland are running a series of virtual activities.
Locally, five flags will be going up in Wick on Saturday morning in front of Caithness General Hospital and a Union Jack will fly outside the Legion premises in Thurso.
Scotland's veterans minister Graeme Dey said: “It is only right we pay tribute to the determination and the sacrifices made by the men and women who lived through World War II.
“Despite the difficult circumstances we are in, Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland are doing outstanding work in helping people across Scotland come together virtually on May 8 to give thanks to our World War II generation.
“I hope the whole nation can join with me online in honouring a generation whose contribution continues to impact on us all in many ways.”
Dr Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day is an important milestone in the nation’s history.
“While the lockdown restrictions have forced us to postpone the planned physical events, we are confident that our virtual events will bring people across Scotland together in a memorable, shared moment of commemoration and celebration.”
Poppyscotland chief executive Mark Bibbey said: “We had just issued VE Day learning resources to every school in Scotland when the lockdown came into effect. Nevertheless, these have been amended and are now an excellent way for young people to find out more about the significance of VE Day while learning at home.
“We’ve had incredibly positive feedback from the parents who have already made use of them and would encourage anyone home schooling utilise this comprehensive digital resource.”
