Timetable for VE75 Day: Atherstone to join nation in telling war heroes in 'gratitude and heartfelt thanks you will always be remembered'

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: TWO-MINUTE SILENCE, CHURCHILL SPEECH, NATIONAL TOAST, QUEEN'S SECOND ADDRESS IN FIVE WEEKS, CAPTAIN TOM AND SINGING OF WE'LL MEET AGAIN

HEROES of World War Two from Atherstone and North Warwickshire whose efforts defeated a "ruthless enemy" will not be forgotten in the ongoing Covid lockdown as the nation remembers the sacrifices made on the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The town and beyond joins the whole of the UK to commemorate those who fought and died in the 1939-45 war, despite restrictions imposed due to coronavirus.

Although large-scale public events are unable to go ahead, tributes will be paid by politicians and members of the royal family, as well as through a host of other events.

Today commemorates the official surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces on May 8, 1945, following the Second World War.

In a personal letter to veterans Boris Johnson writes: "We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person.

"But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered."

There is a two-minute silence at 11am, extracts from a speech by wartime PM Winston Churchill at 3pm followed by a national toast and the Queen will address the nation in a televised message at 9pm – the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a speech over the radio three-quarters of a century earlier.

The nation is also invited to come together in a rendition of We'll Meet Again on BBC One, following the Queen's address.

Other VE Day celebrations have been put on and adapted so that the public can get involved, while still adhering to social-distancing guidelines.

The Government has created a template pack to enable people to host a 1940s-style afternoon tea from their living rooms or gardens – consisting of VE Day bunting, recipes, and games for children.

The family tree discovery service Ancestry.co.uk will be free throughout the Bank Holiday weekend to give people the opportunity to uncover personal stories of the war, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said

HIGHLIGHTS OF VE75 DAY

A two-minute national silence will be observed at 11am to honour the memories of the British servicemen and women who gave their lives during the conflict.

The silence will be led by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and broadcast from a location in Scotland, where they are self-isolating.

Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will reflect on the "courage and sacrifice" of the war generation, describing reconciliation and hope as the "two great tributes we can pay".

3pm: Churchill's speech and national toast

Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £30 million for the NHS in April, will share his memories of wartime in an ITV documentary called Captain Tom's War, which airs at 8pm.

In it he recalls having his spirits lifted by Dame Vera Lynn, whose songs include We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover.

"She did a little song for us, so it really boosted the morale of everybody," he said. "She was great."

On BBC One, a special programme will feature Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, actor Adrian Lester and singer Beverley Knight, who will be performing some well-known songs from the 1930s and 40s.

9pm: Queen's televised address and We'll Meet Again

The Queen's televised address at 9pm on BBC One on the 75th anniversary of VE Day is taking place only a few weeks after her last broadcast.

Outside of her Christmas Day speeches, it will be only the sixth broadcast by the head of state to the nation via the television during her reign.

Four have been special addresses on the subject of national crisis and grief, including her April 5 message less than five weeks ago on the coronavirus pandemic.

She also spoke during the Gulf War in 1991, and after Diana, Princess of Wales's death in 1997 and the Queen Mother's death in 2002.

Two have been to mark anniversaries – for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and now for 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Televised addresses from the monarch usually take place years or even decades apart, but the head of state returning to the medium so soon demonstrates the unprecedented state of affairs amid the pandemic.

The programme will culminate in the nation being invited to sing along to a rendition of wartime classic We'll Meet Again