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.
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