Inverness Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) branch seeks help to solve mystery of VE Day anniversary sampler

An Armed services organisation in Inverness is appealing for public help to solve a 20-year-old mystery.

The Inverness branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) is trying to find out who created an embroidered sampler which was handed in to the club in 2005.

It commemorates the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8 as World War II was coming to an end.

With next month marking the 80th anniversary, the Inverness RBLS branch is keen to find out the story behind the embroidered work.

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The embroidered work includes the name A M Gillies.

Bart Lucas, chairman of the Inverness branch of the RBLS, said it had been handed over to another member at the door of the club which was later divided and part of it sold.

Along with other items, it was stored away until being rediscovered recently.

“It would be interesting to find the person whose work it was and the background to it,” Mr Lucas said.

“We don’t know any more about it.

“It is a bit of mystery.”

Mr Lucas hoped it could be solved before the 80th anniversary of VE Day when the branch’s commemorations will include a street party at the club on Saturday May 10.

“It would be nice to invite the person behind it along to the party,” he said.

Anyone with information should call the club on 01463 233710.

VE Day in 1945 was declared a public holiday in the UK following the German forces’ unconditional surrender on May 7 in the wake of the suicide of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler

A newsflash was broadcast to the public announcing the end of the war in Europe and throughout the Allied world, millions celebrated.

In Britain, pubs were allowed to stay open until late, and red, white and blue bunting could be bought without ration coupons.

Streets were filled with singing and dancing, parties and parades and special thanksgiving services were held.

But the celebrations and relief were also underpinned by a sense of poignancy at the memory of those who had died, or were still missing, and concern for those still fighting as war continued to rage in east Asia and the Pacific until August.

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