'Electric atmosphere’

A 90-year-old woman was amazed to spot her teenage face on one of our Special Stamps celebrating Victory in Europe (VE) day.

Eight of the 12 stamps we released to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe depict jubilant scenes based on archive photographs of service personnel and civilians celebrating when news of the conflict’s end was announced.

The pictured stamp, which is captioned ‘Jubilant Public, 1945’ features a 14-year-old Bette Williamson, who now lives in Milton Keynes, but was celebrating in London on 8 May, 1945. ‘(It's) amazing, I never thought I'd see my face on a stamp,’ she told the BBC.

Mrs Williamson said she was going to work at the Eagle pencil factory in Tottenham with her sister Joan, when their friend, Dolly Marriage told them the war was over and they had the day off, so they headed to the West End.

‘The atmosphere was electric you kissed and hugged everyone, it was wonderful,’ she added. ‘We were walking near the Windmill Theatre by Shaftesbury Avenue and saw a man with a trolley load of flags and rosettes, we hadn't seen red, white and blue in such a long time.

‘A photographer appeared and said everyone get in and smile, and he took the photo. Somebody came into work the next day and said: “You're in the Picture Post,” and that was the first time I saw it.’

Mrs Williamson can be seen behind the Stars and Stripes, her sister is behind the Union Jack, and Dolly has her head on the man's shoulder. ‘My son phoned me, and he said your photo is going to be on a stamp and I said: “I don't believe a word you're saying”, but it's true, said Mrs Williamson. ‘I just can't believe it's happened.’

She added that VE Day and the war ‘should never be forgotten’ and it is ‘a shame we can't celebrate this year,’ referring to the current lockdown restrictions. ‘We're in a similar war spirit now, everyone coming together to help one another and it's lovely to see.’

Now held by the Imperial War Museum, the images were originally photographed in black and white, but have now been brought to life in colour for the first time by colourist, Royston Leonard.

The full range of stamps, and other collectible products, are available to pre-order now from www.royalmail.com/endofsecondworldwar and by phone on 03457 641 641. The stamps will be available on general sale from Friday 8 May.