King follows in grandfather's footsteps by not wearing medals at VE Day parade
Her father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa, and was later wounded and taken prisoner while fighting in the same region.
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Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
105-year-old Second World War airman given funeral family 'never dreamt of'
105-year-old Second World War airman given funeral family 'never dreamt of' Fred Jeacock has been described as reserved and someone who never liked being called a hero A piper leads the funeral cortege at Swansea Crematorium, Morriston (Image: Wales Online ) The funeral of a 105-year-old former RAF flight lieutenant from Swansea who flew 30 bombing missions in the Second World War was something to behold, said his son. Alan Jeacock was touched by the efforts made by Armed Forces groups to give his father, Fred, a dignified send-off at Swansea Crematorium, Morriston. A piper and standard bearers led the funeral cortege into the cemetery, there was a guard of honour, and a bugler played Last Post at the end of the service. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Surrey-born Fred Jeacock enlisted in the RAF as a flight mechanic six months before the outbreak of war in 1939. Due to a long wait to start a flight mechanic course he trained as a barrage balloon operator - a role that brought him to Swansea in 1940. While living in a vacated school building in St Thomas he met the school janitor's granddaughter, Joan, who would later become his wife. Fred Jeacock makes his final journey (Image: John Myers ) Mr Jeacock left Swansea to do an engine mechanics course and signed up for air crew service. That led to a flight engineer course at St Athan, then training in Halifax and on Lancaster bombers. He was seconded to a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron after it suffered heavy losses and saw action as a flight engineer over the skies of Germany. He later recalled: "The worst time was just waiting by the aircraft for instructions to get in and get going." Article continues below A young Fred Jeacock (bottom left) (Image: courtesy of Alan Jeacock ) Mr Jeacock's funeral took place on June 3 and was officiated by the Reverend Canon Hugh Lervy, of All Saints Church, Mumbles. The hymn, Abide With Me, was sung, and a eulogy was read Mr Jeacock's grandson, Stephen. "It was excellent," said Alan of the eulogy. "He (Stephen) had been talking to my father a lot over the last 12 months or so. My father was coming out with stories, and telling him about his youth." Family and friends gathered afterwards at Swansea Dockers Sports and Social Club, St Thomas. His dedication to his country was acknowledged (Image: Wales Online ) Alan said he was grateful to the City of Swansea RAF Association, the Royal British Legion and Swansea Council's armed forces champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, for their support. Describing the funeral, Alan, of Manselton, said he couldn't have wished for better. "It was something to be seen," he said. "I never dreamt it would be like that." After the war, Mr Jeacock settled into civilian life. He worked in a number of jobs before being employed as a cable inspector for Aluminium Wire and Cable Company, Port Tennant. He liked working on cars and was, said Alan, a "marvellous" dad. Fred Jeacock pictured with Swansea councillor Wendy Lewis Mr Jeacock, who enjoyed the annual Wales Airshow, Swansea, died on April 23. Those attending the funeral included his youngest brother, Ron, aged 98, and his family, and RAF Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods. Article continues below Speaking last month, Cllr Lewis said she would remember Mr Jeacock fondly. "Fred was a reserved Englishman and he never liked being called a hero, last year at the air show he couldn't understand why everyone wanted to meet him," she said.
Western Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Dad's Army star's Arthur Lowe's Pembrokeshire connection
The fundraising event is being staged at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, and to promote it, volunteer Peter Mitchell has dressed up as the legendary Captain Mainwaring of the Walmington Home Guard, who was played in the nostalgic series by actor Arthur Lowe. Arthur Lowe, who died in 1982, in his famous Dad's Army role as Captain Mainwaring. (Image: Dad's Army Wiki/Fandom) Arthur Lowe had a direct connection with Pembroke Dock. In 1940 he was a Sergeant in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and he well remembered the devastating German Air Force attacks on the town. The 1940s Big Band Dance takes place in Pembroke Dock on Saturday June 21 and commemorates the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ-Days as well as the end of the Second World War. The dance will be held in a marquee sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven and located alongside one of the historic flying boat hangars in the former Royal Dockyard. Peter and Marilyn Mitchell don their Forties gladrags in readiness for the dance. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography) Recreating the memorable Glenn Miller style wartime music will be the Phil Dando Big Band while Peri Lynn - formerly known as Peri Thomas and who is from the town - will perform her Vera Lynn tribute. We'll Meet Again duo, Peter Mitchell as Captain Mainwaring and Perri Lynn as Vera Lynn. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography) Also taking part will be the Pembrokeshire Lindy Hoppers dance team who hold weekly classes in Pembroke Dock. Funds raised will support a unique heritage project – the return of the RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window to the town. Originally unveiled 80 years ago in what is now the Heritage Centre, the window has for the last 30 years been displayed at the RAF Museum in London. Tickets for this never-to-be-repeated Forties Dance are available, at £25, from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Tel 01646 684220); Pembroke Dock Town Council offices in Dimond Street (Tel 01646 684110) or online via Eventbrite. Street food vendors will be supporting the dance.
Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
Tiny hut on Penarth pier was home for four decades, now they're being evicted
Tiny hut on Penarth pier was home for four decades, now they're being evicted The modest hut on the town's most famous attraction is HQ for one of the town's oldest institutions The hut has been their home for more than 40 years (Image: Richard Swingler ) Like the pier on which they call their home, Penarth Sea Angling Club is a long-standing pillar of the town's seaside heritage, founded 92 years ago. For almost half of that time, their HQ has been the modest hut found at the end of the Victorian pier. Now after nearly half a century, the institution has been served a shock eviction notice and the tiny structure faces being handed over for commercial use - a controversial move by the Vale of Glamorgan Council that's left many in the community angry. The club, founded in 1933, has used the hut on Penarth Pier as its headquarters for the past 41 years. It serves as a base for organising competitions, handling membership admin, storing essential fishing equipment and even offering advice to curious tourists. Speaking to WalesOnline, the club's secretary Robert Galley, offered a glimpse into just a fraction of the hut's rich history - and his own lifelong connection to it. "I joined the Sea Angling Club when I was ten years old in 1957," he shared. "My father was Pier Master and I was actually born in the Pier Master's Lodge, which was just across the road from the pier. "He used to take me down to the pier and I'd watch people fishing. One day, someone handed me a rod - and that was it. I joined the club, and I've been secretary now for the last 40 years." Article continues below The club's history is deeply intertwined with Penarth's own, surviving the Second World War and even the partial destruction of the pier in 1947 when a ship struck it. "We have the original minute book going all the way back to our founding in 1933," Robert explained. "On October 20 this year, we'll be 92 years. Over that time, most people in town have either been members or have known someone who was." The club holds weekly competitions, depending on tides and seasons; many of which raise money for charity. In recent years, members have raised thousands for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) - nearly £5,000 since lockdown alone - with their next fundraising competition scheduled for July 20. They also boast a proud record in sport, with several members having held Welsh national records, as well as former and current members who are representing Wales internationally - including men, ladies and juniors. "We've always had a diverse membership. There are around 95 of us," Robert added. "We cover pretty much all of South Wales - we've been told that we're the biggest sea angling club in Wales." Beyond fishing, the club has also become a point of contact for visitors. "We're often asked by tourists about the local islands or how to get to Barry Island. In a way, we've become a bit of an information centre," said Robert. With this in acknowledgment, it is clear that the hut isn't just a storage place - it's the club's nerve centre. "It houses the desk we use to sign people in for competitions, sign up our new members, take payments and raffle tickets - as well as keep our equipment like drop nets and baskets," Robert explained. "It's also where we get out of the wind - last winter we had eight storms, and having a place to warm up is vital." The eviction has been a looming concern for some time. "The council had looked at taking the hut back a year or two ago," Robert said. "But we showed them our licence from 1984, signed by then-Mayor, Mrs Ruby Parsons. It says that either side must give 28 days' notice - and now, they've done just that." The official eviction notice was dated May 19, and would have seen the club out by June 19. However, after discussions with the council, Robert said that they've now agreed to continue on a month-by-month basis, at least for the time being. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here "I don't know if anyone is actively interested in taking over the space - it just seems like they see an opportunity with it," he said. "There are already three coffee shops on the pier, one owned by the council - do we really need another one?" Despite the uncertainty, the club remain hopeful that they can stay, at least through its upcoming RNLI competition. "It would be beneficial to everyone if we could keep the hut, especially for that event," says Robert. "We've always had a good relationship with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, and even before them with the old Penarth Urban District Council. One of our former mayors, John Flanagan was a club member. We hope to be here to stay." Rob Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan Council Chief Executive, said: "The small hut at the seaward end of the pier could potentially be used for commercial purposes, adding to the visitor attraction of the pier. Article continues below "Advertising it as an opportunity for a concession will allow us to find out if there is an interest from potential operators. "We are, alongside this process, in discussion with the Sea Angling Club and colleagues will continue to engage with them about potential alternative provision. It is only right that we review all sites such as this to ensure they are used effectively, especially when there is an opportunity to enhance the visitor experience."
