VE Day's 80th Anniversary Commemoration

On Thursday 8 May 2025, the country will come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and again later on in the year to celebrate VJ Day on 15 August. 

You can find out about some events taking place here. 

We’ve looked back at Newport Transport through World War II…

Within a few weeks of the outbreak of war on 3 September 1939, most services were reduced or curtailed following the restrictions to fuel. Some of the older single deck vehicles (fleet numbers 17 to 30) were withdrawn from service although numbers 23 and 27 were hired by the War Department for their own use.

By October the company had reduced the mileage operated by 87,737 miles from that of September. Passengers were reminded to make their journey only if it was necessary and to walk if they could, to allow capacity for those making longer journeys. They were also encouraged to have the exact fare as buses became overcrowded and with night-time lighting prohibited, conductors were finding their job difficult. 

By July 1940, bus services were becoming increasingly disrupted as they were required to stop when the driver heard an air raid warning. In September 1940, it was agreed that bus services would continue throughout air-raid warnings unless anti-aircraft guns were in use or bombs were being dropped. 

In June 1940, there were around 80 members of staff serving in the forces and the availability of male labour started to cause problems for the company. The manager, Mr N J Young, was given permission that women were to be employed as conductresses to take fares and give tickets. On 9 February 1941, twenty-eight women (aged 21-23) started in the role. As the war went on, more women were employed as the shortage of male workers continued. Conductresses also allowed men to retrain as drivers. 

Further restrictions of fuel resulted in a significant reduction in Sunday services from July 1941. Newport’s vast docks made the city an excellent asset for the war efforts but also a strategic target for enemy bombs. With this in mind, from October 1942, some buses were parked at Lodge Road, Caerleon to ensure there would still be continuity should the depot be attacked from the air. 

The war presented problems for the fleet. New buses that were ordered and had started to be built before war commenced were ‘frozen’ by the government. However, by 1943, the fleet was in desperate need for new vehicles and the government allowed several vehicles to be “unfrozen”. Many were built to war-time Utility Standards and were fitted with wooden slatted seats. They were painted in a drab grey livery except for some white edges.  There were no interior lights and headlamps were shrouded to ensure they conformed to black-out regulations. 

Buses continued to play a vital role in the town despite the difficult circumstances. However, in October 1944, some unlikely route developments occurred. A new service (route 4A) was introduced between St Julians Road and Gaer Park Road. The event turned into quite an occasion with the mayor (Councillor A H Pursey) travelling on the bus and being met with a band and speeches at the Gaer Park Club. 

As the hope of the war ending became more confident, in Easter 1945 buses once again resumed to Tredegar Park, something that had been abandoned for the duration of war. 

On VE Day 1945, Newport took to the streets to celebrate the end of war, thank those who had helped and reflect on those who had made the ultimate sacrifice. You can see achieve footage of Newport’s VE Day celebrations here: Watch V.E. Celebrations at Newport May 1945 online - BFI Player

Some of the war-time vehicles were repainted into the standard colours of green and cream. Internally, light bulbs were fitted, and the hard wooden-slatted seats were cushioned and upholstered. Unlike at the end of World War I when female staff had to leave employment, many conductresses stayed on. 

On the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the staff a Newport Transport would like to say thank you to all those who lived through Word War II. 

Newport Transport’s War Heroes Remembered 

In the early years of the war, some of the men employed by the company were called up or volunteered to join the forces. Sadly, some never returned. However, they will never be forgotten, as their names, along with those from the First War, are displayed on the War Memorial Board in the company’s reception on Corporation Road.

In 2023, each name was added to the front of one of our electric buses. You can find more about them here.

(Information from Newport’s Munipal Buses by Andrew Wiltshire and Trams & Buses of Newport 1845 to 1981 by DB Thomas and EA Thomas)