VE Day holds memories for Vincentian Soldiers’ Widows

by Lyf Compton

The United Nations (UN) designates May 8 to 9 as a “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation” to honour all victims of war. Yesterday, Thursday, May 8, 2025 was observed as Victory in Europe (VE)Day which is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the allies of World War ll of the unconditional surrender of Germany to its armed forces on Tuesday, May 8, 1945. The day marked the official surrender of all German military operations.

From Left: Melissa Boyea and David Boyea husband of Melissa Boyea

As a colony of Britain, several Vincentian men were enlisted to fight with the British as soldiers in World War l and World War ll, some leaving wives and families behind.

While all the Vincentians who fought in the second Wold War have since died, there are a few soldiers’ widows still alive, and have some recollection of life with returning husbands who had unimaginable experiences.

“He would say he was an old army soldier; they taught him how to kill,” was what Janet Regisford told SEARCHLIGHT in relation to her dad, Carol Regisford who fought in that WW II and lived to return home where he set up as a tradesman and shopkeeper.

Janet said her dad later met her mom, Calsie Regisford, and they settled. Calsie is one of three remaining veterans’ widows in SVG; the others are Winnifred Lewis, and Melissa Boyea.

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Calsie who is in her 90s, said her husband never spoke to her about the war, but he did speak to his friends about it. She said she is alive today because of her trust in God, and she often hears about the various conflicts around the world.

“All I can do is wait and watch,” she said, when asked how she felt about global conflicts. Her husband’s grave is marked and she said at times they go there to visit.

Another surviving widow, Melissa Boyea of Park Hill said that the only mention her husband made of the war is some of the places where he was stationed.

“…he never wanted to talk about it probably because of what he went through. War affects people, and when they come back and because of what they go through, they don’t talk.

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