The hard fought battles of 1944 had brought a foreseeable end to the war in Europe. A public meeting, held at Eton, discussed plans for the welcome home of service men and women of the village and Eton. A Committee was formed to arrange for fund raising events which commenced with a dance at Eton School Hall. With a public collection at Eton Wick, a donation of £75 from Eton U.D.C. and other activities funds were quickly raised for the `Welcome Home' entertainment. To mark the occasion, a gift was proposed and this took the form of a cigarette box suitably inscribed. Some of these mementoes were made by Mr Plunkett, a local cabinet maker.
With an allocation of extra fuel by the Ministry of Power, the introduction of a new timetable for the Blue Bus service became possible. This gave a more frequent service from Dorney through Eton Wick to Windsor but still no bus after 9pm. A request from village residents for a 10 p.m. bus from Windsor had the support of the Council but many weeks were to elapse after V.E. Day celebrations before the Traffic Commissioners gave their permission for a later bus.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
