Veteran, 103, says children's letters made sacrifice 'worth it'

BBC News

03-05-2025

"This has filled me up really good, it has," said World War Two veteran bombardier Tom Jones.Just moments earlier the 103-year-old had been read letters written by students at James Brindley Community Primary School, in Walkden, Manchester, ahead of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.It is part of VE Mail, a letter exchange project which wants to connect 50,000 UK school children with WW2 veterans to "ensure that first-hand memories from veterans are passed on to the next generation in a meaningful way".Thursday will mark 80 years since the unconditional surrender of German military forces on 8 May 1945.
Since it was launched on 19 March, more than 1,100 schools and youth organisations have signed up to VE Mail.Students who were part of the initiative at James Brindley Community Primary School received a letter from Mr Jones in March, in which he described his memories from World War Two.It also talked about the conditions he lived in while fighting against the Japanese military in Burma, now known as Myanmar."On VE Day we were still dodging bullets in the jungle, and we did for another three months. People don't know how bad it was in Burma," Mr Jones told the BBC on a visit to the school."We went 12 months without changing clothes, without a bath or shower, or a cooked meal, and in between that we were fighting," he said.Several students, including Valentina, wanted to read their response to Mr Jones' letter in person."Thank you for your time and the privileges you have given us. I bet it was difficult being away from a normal life in Britain," she said.
"I was amazed by your strength of character and how you lived to tell the tale, and being the age of 103 is an exquisite achievement."I hope that eventually our generation will realise how hard you and your comrades fought for peace and rights, because war has no winners, just losers."Mr Jones' letter also spoke about being away from his family, and late wife, Eileen.In another letter, student Annabelle said she was "thrilled" to know the veteran eventually was able to build return home and build a life with Eileen."I believe you were so brave being away from your family and your sweetheart at such a young age and for such a long time because I would never be able to do what you did," she said.
"You must have been thrilled after the war when you came home and married your sweetheart Eileen and found a peaceful place to build a family."As the students were reading their letters aloud to Mr Jones he had the chance to expand on stories.Speaking about Eileen to the students, he said: "She was my best girl, and she waited four years for me to come home."At the end of the meeting with the children, Mr Jones added: "They are beautiful letters and make me feel like all I went through was worth it."This has filled me up really good, it has."
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.