Sirens and searchlights to mark VE Day anniversary

Sirens will blast and searchlights shine from warships at Faslane tomorrow to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The Royal Navy will join the rest of the country on May 8 in marking the sacrifices made between 1939 and 1945.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of many events marking the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, including many parades and events around Scotland involving veterans.

But from 8am government buildings will fly the Union Flag at full mast – something they will do on all three days of the weekend (lowering the standard at 8pm).

There will be a nationwide two minutes’ silence at 11am to remember more than 400,000 British military personnel and civilians who died in the second world war.

At 3pm – marking the moment on Tuesday, May 8, 1945 when Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill addressed the nation – Royal Navy ships and support vessels at HM Naval Base Clyde will join others based around the country and across the world and will blast their sirens for a minute to celebrate victory.

And at 10pm searchlights on naval ships – both those in harbour and at sea – will be directed skywards for five minutes.

The war’s end marked the lifting of the blackout after nearly six years.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council side the authority would mark the event as much as possible during the lockdown.

“The council will commemorate VE Day by flying the Union Flag,” she added.

“There will be no official, planned events, because of lockdown, but it is important that we still take this opportunity to take a moment and honour those who sacrificed their lives for us during World War Two.”