Veteran, 99, says there are ‘not many of us left' ahead of VJ Day anniversary
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ITV News
7 hours ago
- ITV News
Appeal for cards to mark Southend Royal Navy veteran's 100th birthday
A branch of the Royal Naval Association is appealing for well-wishers to send 100th birthday cards to a Second World War veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys to make his surprise celebration extra Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year: 'There's not many of us left.'The sailor, of Southend in Essex, was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, and said in a previous interview that it 'couldn't have been better'.'The war killed so many people it's unbelievable,' he said. 'All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans.'But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed.'When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better.'Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will turn 100 on September Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley, which will be collated at the local branch and shown to him at a party on the day. The 76-year-old said Mr Shelley was the branch's 'last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day'.Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said Mr Shelley was on the HMS Milne on D-Day 'supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft'.Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously been the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but 'as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs'.'He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat,' he said.'He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened.'He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend.'He is hoping to collate at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley.'I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon,' said Mr Hawes.'Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think.'Mr Hawes, who was a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, is to make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria said Mr Shelley 'does like his tot of rum' and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the Hawes asked for birthday cards for Mr Shelley to be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
King Charles drives Queen Camilla to Sunday church service near Balmoral
King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen arriving by car at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, with the Queen waving to onlookers. King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, the Church of Scotland parish near their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire. The royal couple were seen arriving in a car, with the King at the wheel and the Queen waving to onlookers as they reached the small kirk, which has been the family's regular place of worship during summer stays at Balmoral. The late Queen Elizabeth II was also known to attend services here. The church outing comes shortly after King Charles delivered a poignant address marking VJ Day on 15 August, commemorating the end of World War II. In a powerful audio message recorded in the Morning Room at Clarence House earlier this month, Charles reflected on the sacrifices of the wartime generation and the enduring lessons for the present day. 'Those heroes of VJ Day gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected,' he said. 'Countries and communities that had never before fought together learned to coordinate their efforts across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides. "Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link. That remains a vital lesson for our times.' On the anniversary itself, the King donned his military uniform for a Service of Remembrance at The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, marking 80 years since VJ Day. He was seen speaking with Alfred Conway, who served alongside Prince Philip during the war. Queen Camilla joined her husband and was also observed conversing with war veterans, visibly moved at moments during the service and subtly wiping a tear from her eye. The event drew further attention as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended, accompanied by his wife, Victoria. The service offered a solemn opportunity to honour those who fought and sacrificed during World War II while reflecting on the importance of international unity in both war and peace. Crathie Kirk remains a significant location for the royal family during their summer stay at Balmoral. Visitors to the estate will often see the couple attending Sunday services, continuing a long-standing tradition of royal worship in the area. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The small parish church offers a quieter and more intimate setting compared to services held in London or other major cities, providing the royal family with the chance to attend without the usual public fanfare. The King's recent remarks on VJ Day emphasised the broader significance of collective action and international cooperation, noting that lessons from the wartime generation remain relevant today. 'Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link,' Charles stated, underlining the value of unity and collaboration across nations. Following the commemorations, the royal couple returned to Balmoral, where they continue their traditional summer residency.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Birthday cards appeal for Southend navy veteran turning 100
An appeal for people to send 100th birthday cards to a World War Two veteran has been issued in a bid to make his big day extra special. Dougie Shelley joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17, serving as a seaman gunner, and said earlier this year: "There is not many of us left."The sailor, from Southend-on-Sea, was on a ship in Hong Kong when the news of Germany's surrender filtered through."When we heard about Victory in Europe, everybody got together, and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up," he said. The Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association has issued the appeal for Mr Shelley, who will turn 100 on 23 John Hawes, 76, said Mr Shelley was the branch's "last Arctic convoy veteran, and also he was at D-Day".Mr Hawes, who was a chef and a baker on aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, will make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria sandwich. Paul Bennett, Mr Shelley's carer, said he was on HMS Milne on D-Day "supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy, and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft".Mr Shelley said: "The war killed so many people, it's unbelievable... the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans."But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed."Mr Hawes said the aim was to collect at least 100 cards, which will be shown to Mr Shelley on his birthday, and he asked for them to be sent to the Royal Naval Association at 73-79 East Street, Southend SS2 6LQ. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
