Little flag girl whose image helped to capture the joy of VE Day

Eighty years ago today, Maureen Jenkins was playing with friends near a South London bombsite when her picture was taken. Today she reflects on those eight decades and the lost friend whose tragedy just weeks after the end of the war tore apart their community.

- By James Murray

CLUTCHING a Union Jack, Maureen Shroll innocently captures the mood of millions of Britons on VE Day 80 years ago today.

Dressed in over-sized dungarees, the youngster was playing near her home by the rubble of bombed-out houses in Battersea, South London, on May 8, 1945 as the nation poured on to the streets to savour freedom.

The snaps, taken by an unknown US photographer, have since become iconic images of the end of war in Europe.

Maureen, now with the surname Jenkins, who is 82 later this month, recalled: "I was just coming up for two when the wonderful photos were taken. Even today they stir emotions because they are just so poignant.

"I was little more than a toddler, but I looked as though I knew something big was going on and I wanted to be part of it.

"The scenes look so natural, a little girl being looked after by her friends and neigh-bours after such awful times. Homes were ruined, people had died but there was a sense of hope in our small community. People knew there were better days ahead.

"Obviously, I can't remember that day but you can see in my face that I know it's an historic time. The images have become part of history now. People still remember them after all these decades." Joining the fun in Henley Street, above, was fellow "flag girl" Jeannie Lebby, then four, whose joy is plain to see. Tragically, Jeannie died of meningitis less than a month later.

It shocked the community just as people were getting back on their feet and trying to put the trauma of war behind them.

Maureen said: "When I look at the photos I think about Jeannie and what sort of life she could have lived. It makes me sad to think about her to this day. She was desper ately unlucky."