The announcement of the Japanese surrender came at midnight on 15th August 1945. As Prime Minister Clement Attlee broadcast to the nation, the people of Portadown, Co. Armagh commenced their celebrations even at such a late hour.
The bells of St. Mark’s Church of Ireland at the top of the town rang out a victory peal and crowds formed in the streets of the town. As more people joined the festivities, there was much cheering and singing. Throughout the following morning, flags and bunting appeared throughout the town. Shopfronts on the High Street became festooned with decorations. The speed of the celebrations was due in part to the planning of Town Clerk Mr. George Magowan and his staff.
During the afternoon, a crowd assembled in front of St. Mark’s Church of Ireland, next to the Portadown War Memorial and the statue of Colonel Edward James Saunderson. To the fore of the event was Mr. S. Rainey (Chairman of the British legion Portadown Branch), and the Salvation Army Band. The platform party consisted of Dr. George Dougan M.P. and various members the Portadown Urban Council. Reverend T. Kennedy (Thomas Street Methodist Church) gave a short address on “the coming of peace”. Other clergy involved included Reverend S. Gordon Young (Edenderry Presbyterian Church) who offered up prayer, Reverend D. Bothwell (St. Mark’s Church of Ireland), who read from the scripture, and Reverend H.H. Aitcheson (Armagh Road Presbyterian Church) who read ‘For The Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon before Comrade Turkington sounded ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’.
A 2-minute silence followed before Reverend H.W. Plunkett offered a closing praer and Reverend F.W. Gowing gave the Benediction. The assembled congregation joined the band of The Salvation Army for a rousing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘God Save The King’. In the early evening, various local churched held their own smaller thanksgiving services.
With the townspeople in a jubilant mood, local bands and Lambeg Drummers took to the streets providing music for open-air dancing and games. Even showers of rain from 2200hrs onwards did not disperse the crowds.
Crowning the Victory Queen
On Saturday 18th August 1945, a grand Garden Fete took place on the grounds of the Castleisland Factory of Messrs. Robert Wilson and Sons Ltd. All proceeds from the day went towards the Portadown Forces Homecoming Fund and the Ulster Hospital for Children and Women. The day of celebration began at 1445hrs as the band of 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers led a parade through Portadown. Close behind the band was Belfast’s Deputy Beauty Queen Miss Irene Totten, Corcrain Flute Band, and a group of children in fancy dress from the Miss Patricia Boyd School of Dancing. 55th Belfast Old Boys’ Silver Band rounded off the parade as crowds 3 or 4 deep lined the High Street.
On arrival at the field next to the Castleisland Factory, Major the Right Honourable Maynard Sinclair M.P. and Mr. W.A. Mullen D.L. inspected the Guard of Honour formed of Lieutenant J.D. Lowry’s 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers Cadet Force. The platform party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. R. Clement Wilson, Major the Right Honourable Maynard Sinclair M.P., Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Mullen, Dr. George Dougan M.P., Mr. W.B. Jamieson M.B.E., Lieutenant Colonel R.R. Auchinleck-Darling, Mr. R. Lowry Palmer (Resident Director of the Castleisland Factory), and Mr. E. Megaw (General Manager).
Master of Ceremonies Mr. Michael Markham welcomed the visitors and Mr. R. Clement Wilson expressed thanks to the organising committee of Mr. Kenneth McCluskey, Mr. Michael Markham, Mr. J.D. Gowdy, Mr. R.P. Fulton, Mr. John McShane, Mrs. McClements, and Mrs. McAdam.
Left to Right: Miss Irene Totten (Belfast Deputy Beauty Queen), Mrs. R. Clement Wilson, Dr. George Dougan M.P., Mrs. Sally Bellomo (Portadown Victory Queen), Mr. Lowry Palmer, Miss E. Moffet Palmer, Major the Right Honourable Maynard Sinclair M.P., Mrs. Dinah McNabb M.P., Mr. R. Clement Wilson, Mr. Kenneth McClusky, Mr. Michael Markham.
British Newspaper Archive Photo: The crowning of the Victory Queen in Portadown, Co. Armagh on Saturday 18th August 1945 was the highlight of a large Garden Fete at the Premises of Robert Wilson and Sons Ltd. Copyright Portadown News - Saturday 25th August 1945.
After the Belfast Deputy Beauty Queen Miss Irene Totten declared the Fete open, crowds danced to the sounds of the band of 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. There were also half-hourly concerts from a “concert party” of Robert Wilson and Sons under the direction of Mr. A. Jones and Mr. Fred Hannah. Children enjoyed pony rides, crazy golf, and other attractions. Long queues formed in good order at the busy canteens throughout the day.
The highlight of the Fete was the crowning of Portadown’s Victory Queen Mrs. Sally Bellomo (née Atkinson) of 7 Century Street, an employee of Messrs. Hamilton Robb, Ltd. Sally had recently married Private James Vincent Bellomo of the United States Army. The 16 entrants in the competition represented young ladies from “all walks of life in Portadown industry”. Newspaper reports suggest the sun burst through the clouds as Miss Irene Totten of Belfast in a blue velvet robe edged with gold crowned Mrs. Bellomo who wore a full-length white dress with a crimson robe.
At just after 2000hrs, the Fete came to an end and the band of 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers once again formed up to lead a parade. Followed by Miss Totten and the new Victory Queen Mrs. Bellomo, the parade wound through the streets of Portadown to the Fair Green for the opening of a Grand Carnival. There, the celebrations continued until late in the night.