
WW2 veteran urges Salford children to 'be kind and choose peace'
A 103-year-old World War Two veteran has urged the next generation of children to "be kind and choose peace" after explaining war was "truly terrible". Tom Jones gave the warning in a letter to primary school pupils in Worsley, Salford, where he went to share his experiences of fighting in the conflict. The Bombardier, who was called up to the Royal Artillery aged 17 in 1939, said war was "not glorious", but a "hard time, and added: "I had to grow up fast." He is one of several surviving people who fought in WW2 to write to schools ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with pupils encouraged to write back to forge lasting connections with veterans.
Mr Jones met the children at James Brindley Community Primary School to read some of his letter and show them his Morse code machine. The wireless operator fought in both the Burma War and World War Two,Some of the pupils said they planned to write back to him and say "we appreciate everything you have done for us", and to let him know he was "so brave" to go to war at such a young age. Mr Jones told the BBC he had "really enjoyed" coming to the school to tell the youngsters "what it was like".
The visit came as part of a push by charity the Together Coalition to build lasting connections between children and the UK's few remaining World War Two veterans and hear their first-hand accounts. Schools have been invited to sign up to the 'VE Mail' project, where pupils receive a letter from veterans setting out their wartime experiences and then write back.
'Baton of memory'
Mr Jones said the initiative was a "major opportunity to pass the baton of memory and of meaning to the next generation". He said: "Eighty years ago we were part of something historic; a victory in Europe and in Asia that protected democracy and our country for our whole lifetime. "The victory meant the world to us at the time - but the values are as relevant today as they were then."Kate Stokes, head teacher at James Brindley Community Primary School said Mr Jones' letter had "brought the past to life" and created a meaningful link between the children and "those to whom we owe so much". "As they write their letters in return, they reflect on the sacrifices made and express their gratitude—an incredibly powerful and moving experience that will stay with them for years to come," she said.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Arran seabed project recognised by David Attenborough
Led by divers Don MacNeish and Howard Wood, the project sought to restore the seabed, which had been devastated by bottom trawling and dredging. The square mile 'no take zone', which is surrounded by a protected marine area, has since undergone a natural restoration. Read More: Lobster populations have quadrupled while the number of king scallops has increased six fold, though full recovery could take up to two centuries. The Lamlash Bay project has been featured in a new film by Mr Attenborough, Ocean, which was released to coincide with the UN Oceans Conference. One of the key focuses of the summit, which is being held in the south of France, is expected to be the impact of dredging and bottom trawling. In the film, Mr MacNeish talks about the drastic differences he noticed in the area after the three mile limit, which was designed to protect spawning grounds was removed. He told the BBC: "I just couldn't believe the regeneration that had happened and I was just swimming along with a demand valve in my mouth and a huge smile on my face. This is what it was all about. "I'm all for fishing, but not necessarily everywhere. We just need small pockets of protection to be able to reseed the entire area."


Edinburgh Live
10 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Antiques Roadshow guest gushes 'I can't believe that' as value of inherited item unveiled
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A guest on Antiques Roadshow was utterly astounded by the hefty valuation given to his Rolex watch by expert Richard Price. During a rerun of the much-loved BBC show, which aired on Sunday 8th June, Brodie Castle served as the backdrop for a host of valuable discoveries. The episode showcased a man who presented Richard with a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master that once belonged to his uncle. Richard, examining the timepiece closely, told the owner: "All Rolex collectors refer to these things by their reference number," and "You know as well as I do because it says so on the dial that it's a GMT-Master." The owner shared that he had held onto the watch for about 32 years after inheriting it from his uncle, reports the Express. (Image: BBC) He guessed that the watch might have been a present to his uncle in the 1960s, leading Richard to investigate its provenance further. Richard clarified: "It's the reference 1675, which is the classic GMT-Master when you said 60s, I think we could fairly safely say 1960 to 1961, so that all fits in." Upon closer examination, Richard was delighted to discover the watch was unmodified, pointing out that many watches are often altered during servicing, which can disappoint collectors. He detailed: "They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade," and then remarked: "You would've had it back thinking, 'Oh, it looks like new'. Collectors hate that, it's absolutely original, spot-on." The expert was then left a tad disappointed after inspecting the watch further, noting that it sported a jubilee bracelet rather than the original oyster type. He informed the downcast owner: "It's a Rolex product of course, but it says 'Made in the USA'. So perhaps he specified that he did not want the oyster bracelet, he wanted a jubilee bracelet and they put this one on for him. "Which sort of detracts from it a little bit, probably detracts from it by a couple of thousand pounds." (Image: BBC) The guest's spirits dipped further when Richard valued the watch at what would have been £300 to £350 in the early 60s. Reacting to the valuation, the guest said ruefully: "Wish he bought more." However, Richard had some uplifting news, announcing that the Rolex is likely worth £12,000 to £15,000. The guest was left utterly gobsmacked as applause erupted around him. Visibly moved, he uttered: "I can't believe that, can't believe that." Antiques Roadshow is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.


BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Fire breaks out at fish and chips shop in Brown Edge
Fire crews have been battling a blaze at a fish and chip shop. Flames broke out at Sandy Lane Fish and Chips in Brown Edge, Staffordshire, on Sunday a post on X shortly after 15:30 BST, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were sent to the scene on Sandy Lane, and urged people to avoid the area.A fire service spokesperson told the BBC nobody was hurt and it was believed the blaze started accidentally, although a cause had not been identified. Firefighters had since left the scene, the spokesperson added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.