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Not much was done in Brandon to celebrate this day. This was probably because news travelled slowly, and the effects of this event were slow to sink in.  
 
Over the previous five years community residents had anxiously followed the progress of the fight carried on in Europe by air and land forces in which countless numbers of local Sons participated.  
 
Many had died: others had suffered grievous wounds, and still others who had been long confined as prisoners of war were liberated.  
 
In the closing days of the WW II conflict Private Thomas Watkin, Sergeants J. E. Wright, and Ferd Russell earned Medals for Resourcefulness under fire.  
 
A Military Cross went to Captain E.A. Dawson. After gallant action in the Theatre of War, Flight Lieutenant Walter Dinsdale was given a Distinguished Flying Cross.  
 
On May 7th 1945 hostilities in Europe ended.  
 
Brandon citizens of Salvation Army, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish faiths attended special devotionals in the city Hall Auditorium while the First Church United chimes played hymns, patriotic airs, and national anthems.  
 
Mayor McDorman said in his speech, “this is a day of Thanksgiving, a day we lift up our hearts, and minds to Almighty God. He has given us victory.”  
 
When finally this poignant, and long awaited moment had arrived it was not marked by any particular display of rejoicing.  
 
Over the next few months servicemen began to trickle home from England, France, Holland, Italy, Sicily, and other recent areas of Battle. Others came from German Prisoner Of War (P.O.W.) camps, and overseas military hospitals.  
 
Some returnees had seen over five years of action, and received nary a scratch, while others with only a few months in uniform bore deep scars.  
 
Civic Authorities gave them a promise of a public reception some time in the future.  
 
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ve-day/