Latest news with #AuxiliaryTerritorialService
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The multicultural effort to defeat fascism
Regarding Gary Younge's article (Millions of the black and brown people who fought for Europe's freedom didn't get a VE Day, 8 May), it is refreshing to read about what actually happened at the end of the second world war. But I do resist strongly the framing of the millions of colonised people in the British empire as having 'fought for the allies'. They were the allies. These people, including my late father, were subjects of the British empire, just like any soldier from Liverpool or an Auxiliary Territorial Service recruit from Maidenhead. They were trained as the British army and they fought and died, or survived, just like those from Scotland or Wales. Many British people don't want to hear that millions of the grandparents and parents of those 'foreigners' living here were born and lived under the same rule as any Bristol or Birmingham council estate, but that was the case. The far-right 'othering' of people is a result of a deliberate and hateful ideology aimed at seizing power. The words we use matter. The soldiers and service personnel that Younge is talking about were British subjects and Britain was a complex, global, multicultural empire – not a white bastion of democratic resistance that fought alone from the shores of VertannesChurchdown, Gloucestershire • I read with interest that about 2.5 million personnel from the Indian subcontinent fought during the second world war. They are perhaps not the only forgotten ones. My mother was in India when war broke out. She joined the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) in India and served throughout the duration, ending up with the rank of captain. Her last days would have been made easier if her service had been acknowledged. On inquiring whether extra pension rights (she had a very small state widow's pension) as a former servicewoman were hers to claim, she was told no records were available for WRAC in India. End of story. And a very shabby end to the story. Quite apart from the financial side, it was as if her service to the nation had simply never Blazy-O'ReillyVilleneuve-la-Comptal, Aude, France
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Centenarian remembers singing on VE Day in Trafalgar Square
'We sang and laughed on VE Day in Trafalgar Square' Just now Share Save Sophie Law BBC Radio Oxford Share Save Dorothy Howard remembers celebrating VE Day in Trafalgar Square, exactly 80 years ago A centenarian has said she will "never forget" celebrating VE Day in London's Trafalgar Square alongside hundreds of thousands of fellow jubilant Britons, 80 years ago. Dorothy Howard, from Witney, Oxfordshire, spent two years serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) - the women's branch of the British Army during World War Two. Ms Howard, who turned 100 in February, is now the last surviving member of 26 women photographed from her unit. She spoke to the BBC as the UK marks eight decades since the surrender of Nazi Germany, and the end of war in Europe. Ms Howard still had her maiden name, Mace, when she signed up for the ATS in 1941. "I was interested, nosy I suppose really - I wanted to know what it was all about," she explained. "I wanted to go in the Navy but I didn't swim so they said I had the attributes for office work." Ms Howard is the last living member from this photograph of her ATS unit The work was "serious all the way" and "quite frightening really", she remembered. Explaining her job role, she said: "[They were all wanting] ammunition so you had to type these forms out, hundreds of them. "Silly little bits of ammunition really but very important, I don't think we realised how important it was for the poor people who used it. "I felt I'd done a little bit." Ms Howard spent two years in the service, mostly working at an Army ordnance depot in Middlesex, where she said she earned 26 shillings a week. In 1943, she left to marry her boyfriend - who was serving in the RAF. PA Media Thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate VE Day, including Dorothy Howard When VE Day arrived, Ms Howard said she and a friend made it to Trafalgar Square to celebrate and "just enjoyed it". Also there that day was the late Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, who later described it as "one of the most memorable nights" of her life. "[We] sang, shouted, screamed," Ms Howard said. "I'll never forget it – the scenes of joy on everyone's faces, laughing, we weren't laughing at anything really – it was just wonderful. Absolutely marvellous." Following the war, Ms Howard went on to have two children and now has a large family - including great-grandchildren.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Antiques Roadshow's Fiona Bruce left amused by 100-year-old war hero's saucy remark about soldiers
BBC Antiques Roadshow viewers were taken back to WW2 for a special episode ahead of VE day where Fiona Bruce chatted with 100-year-old Bletchley Park codebreaker Hazel Halter about her memories of the past. Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce shared a light-hearted exchange with a 100-year-old WW2 hero who made a saucy comment about her night with some American soldiers. The hit BBC programme took a break from its usual evaluation of unique and rare antique items to take viewers back to the era of the second World War ahead of VE day on May 8. Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire was the main hub for Allied-code breaking efforts, an endeavour said to have shortened the war by as much as two years with mostly women being hired to take on this important role. For the special episode, Fiona was given the opportunity to interview former Bletchley Park code-breaker, centenarian Hazel Halter, who shared her experiences from her past work. Despite the serious nature of their conversation, the two women still managed to find moments of humour. Host Fiona asked: "So paint a picture for me of what life was like here at Bletchley Park". Hazel explained there were six female codebreakers who lived on the estate together. She recalled: "We'd see other ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) girls maybe, RAF girls, but we never mixed with them." Fiona questioned: "You just kept yourselves to yourselves?" Hazel agreed, before revealing how they would sometimes attend dances hosted by young American men. Raising an eyebrow, Fiona responded: "That sounds fun". With a twinkle in her eye, Hazel explained: "And they'd form two lines and walk down the middle and they'd pick out the one they wanted. "Then they'd present us with a corsage and a pair of nylons [tights]. We'd never had nylons before! 'So we used to go to these dances. After that, there were other things they wanted which we weren't prepared to give". Struggling to contain her laughter, an amused Fiona said: 'I get the general idea', as Hazel cheekily replied: 'I think you do!' The special episode follows another entertaining incident on Antiques Roadshow last week which saw a shocked guest clasp her hand over her mouth when she found out the staggering value of a 'broken' charity shop brooch she had picked up for £2.50. Sunday's instalment of the BBC show saw expert Susan Rumfitt evaluate the accessory. The guest explained she had found it in a charity shop but hadn't worn it due to the broken clasp. When she took it to a repair shop, she asked jewellers if it was 'worth anything'. She recalled the shop keeper's reply: "'Not really but if you're selling it I'll buy it for £50". She added: "I thought if he wants to buy it for £50, it's probably worth a little bit more.'" Expert Susan explained the true value, saying: "The style of this brooch really does show a lot of hidden meaning within it. "So, you've got sapphires, the blue stones which represent devotion in the language of gemstones and diamonds represent everlasting eternal love, so you've got a very devotional and romantic piece of jewellery." The antiques guru added how the gold and silver mounts were 'two entwined hearts' and could have been given as a 'marriage gift'. She estimated that the brooch dated back to 1870 and estimated it would be worth between £2,000 and £3,000. The guest was left gobsmacked as she exclaimed: "Oh my goodness" and clasped her hand over her mouth. 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'.
Metro
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Celebrate VE Day with a 'fascinating' true story about Queen Elizabeth
On May 8, 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the crowds in London to celebrate VE Day – an evening she later called 'one of the most memorable nights of my life'. After becoming the heir presumptive to the English throne aged just 10 after the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII, her life path quickly changed. However, a few years after Britain entered the Second World War in 1939, she put her hand up for public service, marking a life-long commitment to serving others. The teenager did her part for war efforts, helping support the Queen's Wool Fund, which bought yarn to knit into military garments and offering messages of support to other children evacuated from cities in radio broadcasts. She later trained as a driver and a mechanic, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. At the time it made her the first female member of the royal family to join the military. When the end of the war was announced later that year, the Princess, then aged 19, and her younger sister Margaret begged their parents – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth – to allow them and join the celebrations in the capital. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Their night out was the subject of the 2015 film A Royal Night Out, which starred Sarah Gadon as the teenage Princess Elizabeth and Bel Powley as Princess Margaret, as they ventured out of Buckingham Palace to enjoy the VE Day celebrations. Although some details of the story were fictionalised on screen, it was largely well received by critics and audiences. The movie, which is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime, was called 'sweet', 'charming' and 'heartwarming'. After five years of war, the streets of London erupted into a massive celebration, with parades, thanksgiving services and street parties. An estimated 50,000 people were crowded around Piccadilly Circus by midnight, with music playing on gramophones and bands setting up too, while dance halls stayed open until midnight. In the 1985 interview with the BBC, Queen Elizabeth recalled asking her parents if she and her sister, then aged 14, could 'go out and see for ourselves' after victory was declared. 'I remember we were terrified of being recognised…I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief,' she said. After a day spent waving to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, around 8pm the pair were accompanied by a group of 16 members of the royal household. One of them was the princess's cousin Margaret Rhodes, who once said: 'I don't think they'd ever been out among millions of people. It was just freedom – to be an ordinary person.' To blend in with the crowds, the future Queen wore her Auxiliary Transport Service uniform. After making their way into the centre of London they eventually ended up at The Ritz, where they took part in a lively conga, an act that left some older ladies 'looking faintly shocked' as they also witnessed a group of drunk young people at the famous hotel. Staying out until 1am, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret ended up in the Royal Parks on their way back to the palace. More Trending By midnight, an estimated 50,000 people had gathered around The Mall, with the King and Queen deciding to make another surprise appearance from the balcony. Years later Queen Elizabeth recalled watching her parents on the balcony. 'After crossing Green Park, we stood outside and shouted, 'We want the King' and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony, having cheated slightly because we sent a message into the house to say we were waiting outside. I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.' A Royal Night Out is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Is VE Day 2025 a bank holiday in the UK? MORE: VE Day 2025: Map shows the UK landmarks that will be lit up tonight MORE: What VE Day 2025 celebrations are happening across the UK this week?
The Independent
05-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
VE Day: King follows in grandfather's footsteps by not wearing medals
Eighty years after King George VI marked Victory in Europe Day without adorning his uniform with medals, his grandson, King Charles III, followed suit. At Monday's VE Day parade in central London, the King opted for a similar display of understated commemoration. Donning his naval No.1 dress uniform, he observed the military procession and flypast, commencing four days of national celebration. May 8, 1945 marked the official end of the war in Europe and the Allied forces' over the Nazis. King George stepped onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace, alongside his wife Queen Elizabeth and daughters Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret to wave to the crowds. Princess Elizabeth wore the uniform of the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the balcony appearances. Queen Camilla, also present for the event on Monday, paid tribute to her family's military history. She wore a sapphire blue wool crepe dress and coat, accented by a brooch of the 12th Royal Lancers, her father's regiment. 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. He was later wounded and taken prisoner while fighting in the same region. He died in June 2006, aged 89. On Monday, the Princess of Wales also wore a brooch fit for the occasion – an RAF wings pin. Kate's grandfather served in the RAF as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. The Princess Royal wore the uniform of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps), emulating what the late Queen wore when she was a princess appearing on the Palace balcony on VE Day in 1945. The Prince of Wales was dressed in the RAF No.1 uniform. Members of the royal family watched the parade on Monday from a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial before making their way to Buckingham Palace's balcony to watch the flypast overhead against a soundtrack of cheering crowds.
