May 3, 2025

The World of Churchill Collectables

By BRIAN KRAPF

VE (Victory in Europe) Day was declared to be 8 May 1945, although the Germans had unconditionally surrendered on the 7th. With the announcement that the European war was over, several days of celebrations began around the world, from Buckingham Palace to public streets. Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony of the Ministry of Health overlooking Whitehall and declared to the thousands gathered below:

This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, had done their best. Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation. God bless you all.

The Dunmore Hotel in Shaldon celebrated VE Day on 8 May by preparing and serving its patrons the special victory dinner shown on this menu. Each item was named for one of the Big Three along with Generals Alexander and Eisenhower. We will never know how the Consommé a la Churchill tasted, but it had to be good if it was named in honor of the Great Man.  

2025 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 42nd International Churchill Conference. Washington, DC | October 9-11, 2025

2025 International Churchill Conference

Shaldon is located on the River Teign in South Devon and is historically known for its prominent role in ship building during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as well as the exporting of granite from Dartmoor. Today it is well preserved and a favorite destination for tourists. The Dunmore Hotel, however, was razed many years ago to make way for luxury flats.

Brian Krapf’s book A Churchill Treasury: Sir Winston’s Public Service through Memorabilia was published in 2024 and is available in the UK and North America.