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My entry for 8th May from my diary reads
"8th May V.E. Day in Europe. Being very generous the RAF have given us a half day holiday. Being on a naval station (HMS Bambara China Bay Trincomalee) the navy have spliced the main brace and most people seemed to be drunk. Celebrations go on until midnight when we are turned out of our hut and paraded at the navy Reg office and threatened with a mutiny charge which was eventually dismissed and the officer of the day ( drunk?) admits his mistake.
The celebrations continue next day which is also a holiday starting with a combined church parade held in the bombed out hangers down on the airfield. Lunch is also special with turkey on the menu and the whole camp again spliced the main brace at eleven thirty and again at half past two. As most of the RAF don't like it anyway there is plenty for those that do. We are supposed to have a picnic at Snug Cove a few miles up the road a spot usually reserved for officers but it does not happen.
This was a welcome respite as later we were on our way to the Cocos Island, (1500 miles from Ceylon and the same distance from Australia ) I was there when the Japanese war finally ended, but for me the war continued for another 18 months with the conflict in Java (Indonesia)--but that is another story

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