The Repair Shop veteran breaks down in tears during VE special over late wife
The Repair Shop viewers were left heartbroken as 101-year-old Royal Navy veteran John Holloway broke down in tears over a clock he'd salvaged from a plane he serviced during WWII.
It was an incredibly poignant moment on The Repair Shop's special VE episode that left viewers in tears, as 101-year-old Royal Navy veteran John Holloway became emotional.
John, a WWII aircraft mechanic on an aircraft carrier, brought in a cockpit clock to be repaired, which he had salvaged from a plane and given to his wife for Christmas in 1947.
Overcome with emotion, he expressed: "She was the best wife and the best thing I ever had," remembering his wife, John added: "I was married for 66 years... I think of her often."
BBC audiences were deeply moved, taking to X with heartfelt messages. One viewer confessed: "I'm no crying, you're crying, shut up right!!" While another shared: "What a wonderful episode. This 101-year-old vet and all the people on this episode deserve the spotlight."
A sympathetic third person posted: "He looks and sounds absolutely fantastic for his age. I'm already welling up here."
John, who enlisted at the age of 17, also said poignantly: "Every night I say goodnight Con, I love you, and that sort of thing. And that's why I'm asking your good services to put this thing together because for me, that is Con. She always kept this clock on the bedside table."
Reflecting on loss and fond memories, he added: "Six years ago I moved from Devon and it all got broken and smashed up. Pretty devastated I was. That's a part of me and Con."
The episode culminated with an emotive scene as John couldn't hold back his joy upon seeing the cherished clock restored to its former glory, reports the Express.
The special VE episode, commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, featured four items with remarkable wartime histories, including a doll that belonged to a young Jewish girl who was evacuated from Austria during World War II.
"She's been with me since I was two and a half years old, " shared Ruth Haters, who was joined by her daughter Charlie.
Restoration experts Julie and Amanda were given the task of reviving the doll. Ruth disclosed that she had the doll with her throughout her time in foster care during the 1930s.
She was brought to England to escape being sent to a concentration camp. "She was with me all the way. She was my security."
The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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