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BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
UK's oldest WW2 veteran awarded Freedom of Erewash
The UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran has been awarded the Freedom of Rose, who is also the UK's oldest man aged 110, was honoured by Erewash's youngest ever mayor, 25-year-old Harry Atkinson, at a ceremony at his care home in Ilkeston, said it was a "privilege" to present the award to the the award, Mr Rose said it was "great" and "very nice to see all the people" at the small event. "I want to say thank you very much for coming to see me," he said."I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't have done." His son, David Rose, said he was proud of his dad, adding: "Bearing in mind what he's been through, it's quite something, and he's still here to tell the tale."You start telling [his] story and you get a lump in your throat. All I can say is I'm extremely proud of the man."Thank you to the council, greatly appreciated, and he deserves also praised the work of the British Legion for supporting veterans like his father. Paul Scott, John Sewell and Paul Jarvis from the Ilkeston and Long Eaton branches of the Legion attended the Atkinson said veterans like Donald "need recognising". "We've had a generation of people that served in WW2," he said. "Some gave the ultimate sacrifice. "This is in recognition of not just Donald but to them as well. They allowed us the freedoms that we have today."If anything, it's a shame that it's taken us this long. 110 is a bit too long I think!" The leader of the council James Dawson said it was a unanimous decision of the authority to award Donald the freedom of the borough."It's the highest honour that any local authority can bestow," he said."It is in recognition of Donald and his service, but also [a] special things in this 80th year of VE day and VJ day."People who took part, people like Donald, we have to treasure the time we have with them."Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December joined the Queen's Royal Regiment at the age of 25 and went on to train as a served in North Africa and Europe and puts his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time as a Desert Rose, who turned 110 last December, enjoyed a wartime-themed party at the care home where he lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, for VE day anniversary celebrations earlier this month.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's oldest WW2 veteran endorsed for freedom of Erewash honour
The UK's oldest surviving World War Two Veteran could be awarded the freedom of a borough in Borough Council has announced it will meet to vote on whether to grant the Freedom of the Borough to 110-year-old veteran Donald Rose, in the wake of the 80th anniversary of VE motion, called by leader of the authority, councillor James Dawson, will be discussed at a full council meeting on Thursday."As the oldest resident of the borough and the nation's oldest veteran of the Second World War, the contributions of him and his generation have ensured the continuation of our values and democratic freedoms that we enjoy," Dawson said. Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December 1914 and served in World War Two with the Queen's Royal joining the Army, he trained as a sniper and served in North Africa and EuropeMr Rose, who turned 110 on Christmas Eve, enjoyed a wartime-themed party at the care home where he lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, for VE day anniversary celebrations on Wednesday."We are at this moment in history where the war is just within living memory with veterans now," Dawson added."We felt with the few veterans that are left, we have a treasure in Donald. "Giving him the freedom on the 80th anniversary of VE day, we felt it was a significant milestone that needed to be marked."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans and families attend VE Day memorial event
Britain's oldest surviving World War Two veteran and one of the country's oldest living couples were among dozens who marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day at the National Memorial Arboretum. Up to 46 veterans and their families attended the memorial event in Alrewas, Staffordshire, as a service and tea party were held in their honour. D-Day veteran Donald Rose, who celebrated his 110th birthday on Christmas Eve, was one of those at the event. He was attached to the division that liberated the concentration camp in Belsen, Germany, and had been unable to take part in celebrations on 8 May 1845. "When I heard that the armistice had been signed 80 years ago, I was in Germany at Belsen and like most active soldiers, I didn't get to celebrate at that time," he said. Upon hearing the news the war had ended in Europe, he said it came as a "relief" to him and his fellow soldiers. "I never would have believed I would be remembering this day at 110-years-old," he explained. "It's meaningful to come here today with the Royal British Legion, to remember the people who didn't come back." Also attending the event were Roy Lawrence, 100, and his wife Kathleen, 101, who both served in the RAF during World War Two, from 1942 to 1945. Mr Lawrence was a flight engineer on a Lancaster bomber, while Mrs Lawrence was working in a factory before joining the WRAF in 1941, serving in communications. Asked why it was important that people remember the sacrifices made, Mr Lawrence said: "It's very difficult. I remember those days and I remember the people, not by name because there were so many of them, that got killed. "The present day need to remember that had it not been for them, we'd have all been speaking German." A two-minute silence was held at the memorial at midday before the tea party and commemoration service, organised by the Royal British Legion, took place in the afternoon. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'We will never forget,' King says in handwritten note at VE Day service Candles, wreaths, famous faces: VE Day at 80 in pictures WW2 codebreaker remembers 'going wild' on VE Day City gathers to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day Memories of VE Day as county marks 80th anniversary National Memorial Arboretum
The Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Final salute to the last of the many who fought for peace as WW2 heroes gather to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
THEY are the last of the many who won 80 years of peace for the world. More than six million men and women served in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two — 3.5million of them in the Army — as we stood alone against Hitler. 9 9 9 Today there are only a few thousand left and most of those are more than 100 years old. Yesterday saw one of the largest gatherings of World War Two veterans to come together — and be photographed — to mark the 80th anniversary of their victory. Sadly, there are only 46 of them in our picture. But what an incredible group they are — the youngest, such as Wilson Cotton and Tom Hill, are now aged 98. The eldest, Donald Rose, of Ilkeston, Derbys, who saw action in Africa, Italy, Normandy and Germany, is 110. They all attended a celebration at the National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield, Staffs, organised by the Royal British Legion in their honour to mark VE80. Before a service of remembrance led by Baroness Floella Benjamin, they posed together for what will become a historic picture. For in only a few short years the last of this greatest generation will be gone for ever. Al Carns MP, veterans minister and a former special forces soldier, met them all as they enjoyed afternoon tea before taking their places for the photograph. He told The Sun: 'Every one of these veterans represents selfless sacrifice. 'When the nation was on its knees and called upon the population, society stood up and stood together to defend the freedoms we enjoy. Burmese jungle 'It wasn't just the individuals who took up arms in the Navy, Army or Air Force. It was the whole of society, keeping the country afloat when every other country had capitulated. It's something to be really proud of.' King Charles, Kate & family showed raw emotion in historic balcony appearance for VE Day flypast, royal expert says Unbelievably, for some of those who had travelled to the Arboretum, it was the first time in 80 years they had told their wartime stories. Like RAF engineer John Hindmoor, who at age 104 decided now was the time to recall how he was on the way to Singapore when his ship was diverted to South Africa. Former steelworker John, of Crook, Co Durham, said: 'South Africa's Prime Minister Jan Smuts feared an uprising at home and appealed to Winston Churchill to send troops. 'As we docked near Cape Town a lady told me, 'That was the finest sight in the world. When we saw your blue uniforms come down from that ship we knew we were safe.'' Hydraulics expert John flew on missions with Royal Air Force test pilots — while RAF bomb aimer Frank Tolley flew 23 missions to Germany in a Lancaster bomber, including over Dresden, before dropping 600 tons of food to the starving in Holland. Frank, 103, from Evesham, Worcs, was on leave in Lincoln on VE Day and knew the war was over when he saw a group of British soldiers mingling with German prisoners of wa r who had been released. Roy and Kathleen Lawrence, who both served in the RAF, are believed to be Britain's oldest veteran couple. Lancaster bomber flight engineer Roy, 100, met RAF switchboard operator Kathleen at a dance after the war ended. Roy, from Manchester, said: 'I asked my father, 'Could I volunteer for the Air Force?' and they wouldn't let you in until you were 17 years and three months, so I waited until I was 17 years and three months. 'I wanted to be a Spitfire pilot but unfortunately I failed at navigation. 'They questioned me and suggested I might like to be on bomber command, so I said OK.' 9 9 His first mission was to drop bombs over the German city of Leipzig — and on VE Day Roy was on the 'bread run', dropping essential supplies into France. He said: 'It's very difficult. 'I remember those days and I remember the people, not by name because there were so many of them, that got killed. 'The present day needs to remember that had it not been for them, we would have all been speaking German.' George Durrant, 100, from Crawley, West Sussex, tried to procure beer while serving in the Burmese jungle on VE day. Grief too raw He said of Victory in Europe: 'I remember it being a big deal and everyone was so pleased. We heard it over the radio. 'We spent ages trying to get some beer and we managed to in the end. It wasn't a long celebration though, we didn't get any time off really. 'There was a Dakota aircraft that dropped off some beer. The war out where I was wasn't over yet, though.' Other veterans, though, have told their story to royalty — including RAF codebreaker Bernard Morgan, who sat beside the Princess of Wales in the VIP stand outside Buckingham Palace for the VE Day celebrations on Monday. After showing Catherine photos of himself during the war, former sergeant Bernard, from Crewe, asked the Princess if she was learning Welsh. He recalled: 'She told me, 'I know bore da and nost al — good morning and good night'. 'I told her, 'The one you'll have to learn is a little village with the longest number of letters in'.' Kate was stunned to learn Bernard was 101 years old. He added: 'She said, 'I thought you were about 75!' 'Then she brought her children one at a time, and the three of them shook hands with me.' Bernard still has the telex he was sent 48 hours before VE Day informing him that the war was over. He said: 'Then after two days we got another message, 'the German war is over'. The 46 veterans were joined by a con-gregation of 1,500 for the open-air service of remem-brance as a World War Two Spitfire and Hurricane fighter performed a dramatic fly-past. D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, 101, from Leeds, who sat next to Queen Camilla while he watched Monday's procession in London, wiped away a tear listening to the moving service at the Arboretum. Wartime evacuee Michael Goldstein told the service how his dad Jack died just 58 days before VE Day when his Lancaster bomber was shot down over Nuremberg. Royal British Legion volunteer Michael said: 'My dad was the only one of the seven-man crew who didn't make it. 'My mother, Sadie, refused to believe it. Her letters in June 1945 still breathe with hope. She scoured for news and nagged the Air Ministry, clinging to the thought he was still alive, wounded somewhere. 'Jack's crew mates told her my dad was shot dead while bailing out. They knew that wasn't true — he never got out of the burning plane. Perhaps they felt guilt in leaving my dad behind. "When they came to see my mum to pay their respects, she sent them packing. 'Her grief too raw, her anger deep. War in Europe had ended with great happiness in the streets, but for some it was also a reminder of those who didn't come home. 'Let us honour not just the victory but the price so many paid for it.' 9 9 9
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans and families attend VE Day memorial event
Britain's oldest surviving World War Two veteran and one of the country's oldest living couples were among dozens who marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day at the National Memorial Arboretum. Up to 46 veterans and their families attended the memorial event in Alrewas, Staffordshire, as a service and tea party were held in their honour. D-Day veteran Donald Rose, who celebrated his 110th birthday on Christmas Eve, was one of those at the event. He was attached to the division that liberated the concentration camp in Belsen, Germany, and had been unable to take part in celebrations on 8 May 1845. "When I heard that the armistice had been signed 80 years ago, I was in Germany at Belsen and like most active soldiers, I didn't get to celebrate at that time," he said. Upon hearing the news the war had ended in Europe, he said it came as a "relief" to him and his fellow soldiers. "I never would have believed I would be remembering this day at 110-years-old," he explained. "It's meaningful to come here today with the Royal British Legion, to remember the people who didn't come back." Also attending the event were Roy Lawrence, 100, and his wife Kathleen, 101, who both served in the RAF during World War Two, from 1942 to 1945. Mr Lawrence was a flight engineer on a Lancaster bomber, while Mrs Lawrence was working in a factory before joining the WRAF in 1941, serving in communications. Asked why it was important that people remember the sacrifices made, Mr Lawrence said: "It's very difficult. I remember those days and I remember the people, not by name because there were so many of them, that got killed. "The present day need to remember that had it not been for them, we'd have all been speaking German." A two-minute silence was held at the memorial at midday before the tea party and commemoration service, organised by the Royal British Legion, took place in the afternoon. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'We will never forget,' King says in handwritten note at VE Day service Candles, wreaths, famous faces: VE Day at 80 in pictures WW2 codebreaker remembers 'going wild' on VE Day City gathers to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day Memories of VE Day as county marks 80th anniversary National Memorial Arboretum
