Words by Tracy Fisher
(Ed’s note – this feature was first published in the Erdington Local newspaper on 15 May 2025. To be the first to get your copy of Erdington Local delivered to your door each month, email [email protected] for more details.)
As the country and Commonwealth celebrated the 80 year anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day, when Hitler’s Germany surrendered to the Allied forces – ending World War Two – bunting, decorations, and Union Flags could be seen all over the streets and houses of Birmingham.
But not many places in the second city were so important to the war effort as Castle Vale, which produced many of the Spitfire Fighters and Lancaster Bombers that successfully defended our skies during the Battle of Britian and beyond.
Castle Vale resident and daughter of a Navy serving family, Tracy Fisher, explores the pivotal military history and proud legacy of the Castle Vale estate.
——————
From Spitfire Island to Farnborough Road, between the crofts and walks that entwine our community, lies the remarkable history of Castle Vale.
On 8 May 2025 people celebrated the 80 year anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE day) marking the German surrender and end of World War Two. But nestled amidst its street names and shops is a constant reminder of Castle Vale’s deeply rooted aviation past and crucial contribution to our armed forces during the six year conflict with Germany and the Axis powers excluding Japan.
So let me take you back… The year, 1943.
Three years on from the Battle of Britain and factory workers are busy on the production line located at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF) – the current site of Jaguar Land Rover. The war effort continues at pace with an estimated weekly rollout of 320 Spitfires and production of the first Avro Lancaster Bomber.
Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw and his team of 25 test pilots carry out the necessary flight tests to ensure that aircraft waiting in the hangars are ready for combat, then ferried to various locations by the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Imagine the rumble of the Spitfires and Lancaster Bombers, the smell of aviation fuel, the heavy noise of the propellers as they prepare to depart from the runway, taking to the skies above the Vale.
Look up, do it now and imagine what it would’ve looked like, how it felt to be there.
It is testament to the men and women of the CBAF that by the end of the war the factory produced around 12,000 Spitfires and 350 Lancaster Bombers, a contribution that enabled Allied forces to defeat Germany.
As victory in Europe was declared on 8 May 1945, jubilation on the streets of Britain and Allied countries ensued. Dancing, street parties, moments of joy and tears for those who came back from war, those who sacrificed their lives, and the six years of sacrifice made by those at home – but despite everything, still a community.
Fast forward 80 years, and I find myself asking ‘is it possible to mirror that same pride the country felt in 1945 among our own community today?’ Coming from a military family – with my father, uncle, and aunt all having served in the Royal Navy and WRNS – I would say a similar sense of local pride was echoed when my Uncle David Hughes, who grew up on Castle Vale, came back from the Falklands War in 1982 having served on HMS Fearless.
The bunting was proudly displayed, ‘Welcome Home Dave’ read the huge handwritten sign strewn across the front of the house. Neighbours, friends, and family, all welcoming him back home safely.
As with every war or conflict, whether it is 80 years ago or more recent, what often binds a community together is a shared history and mutual respect.
Having seen active service in Afghanistan, Frankie Ward, a Castle Vale Army veteran, believes that “as tensions rise worldwide, we need to remember the old wars such as World War One and World War Two so we don’t fall into the same mistakes again,” adding that Castle Bromwich Aerodrome “played a pivotal role in this country’s history where Spitfires and Lancasters had their final tests done before they went to defend Britain.”
He continued: “The flying of the Union Flag would highlight what this area stood for and the great foundations of the previous use of this land”.
Frankie’s proposal, backed by Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) finally happened on the morning of the VE Day 80 year anniversary – as a Union Flag, bearing an image of a Spitfire, was hoisted and is now proudly flying high in Centre Park.
I had the privilege to spend time with staff and cadets from 165 Squadron Castle Bromwich Air Cadets, to the celebrate their VE Day 80 year anniversary – as they held their own unit ‘street’ party, complete with bunting, food, games, and a DJ playing music from the 1940’s.
The wartime festivities continued into the evening, ending with a rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and several cadets dancing together, keeping in with the spirit of the occasion.
It was clear that local military pride remains high among the younger generation. On the importance of celebrating and remembering not only VE Day but also more recent conflicts, one female cadet told: “It is important to commemorate those across Europe instead of just in the UK, as a person not from the UK.”
I also asked if any of them would consider joining the Armed Forces in the future, with another cadet saying she wanted to “carry on the legacy of family”.
As the years pass by, the way each generation remembers past wars and conflicts will inevitably change. But how we recall these events to future generations is equally important.
Even the youngest of Castle Vales’ residents enjoyed some VE Day fun during the 80 year anniversary celebrations – at a special event held at the YoungStars Community Hub – with games, food, music, and by creating their own artwork to commemorate the occasion.
Luke McClean of YoungStars explained: “As Castle Vale played a vital role in World War Two, we believe it’s crucial to teach [young people] about their inheritance and what came before them.”
He added: “It is great for us to show before and after photos of Castle Vale, showing them what our estate used to look like [and] sparking interesting conversations between the kids. It has been great to see how invested they have been.”
So, celebrate and remember those who served, and continue to serve on the ground, ocean and skies. They will never be forgotten; there will never be goodbyes.
PICTURE GALLERY: VE Day 80 year anniversary celebrations on Castle Vale / Photographs by Tracy Fisher
The 75th anniversary of VE Day may have been disrupted by a new enemy, but it links us to a past generation who faced another great national test.
These are unprecedented times, but awarding this medal collectively, to thousands of people for their joint bravery, has been done before.