Latest news with #HectorMcDonald
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
I'll never forget the day the war ended, we'd been through so much, and suddenly there was hope again
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Royal Navy veteran Hector McDonald, 99, from Livingston, was invited to attend the VE Day 80 Concert on Thursday after an interview he gave to the BBC, arranged by Sight Scotland Veterans which has supported Hector for more than 10 years. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I joined the Royal Navy when I was 18 and served from October 1943 until September 1946. During my time at sea, I braved the perilous conditions of the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Arctic Convoys, a vital but dangerous mission that helped sustain the Allied war effort. I was awarded the Atlantic Star, a medal created to honour those who served in the freezing and treacherous northern seas during the Second World War. I later served in the Pacific, including operations in the Philippines and Japan. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hector alongside his Aircraft Handling Crew during WW2. | Sight Scotland/ Hector McDonald When victory in Europe was declared, we were given two bottles of beer, but the war wasn't over for us. We still had to fight on in the Pacific. We were just north of Tokyo when we heard the Japanese had surrendered. I attended victory parades in Sydney and Melbourne. It is hard to believe its 80 years ago since the war ended. VE day is a day to remember what happened and is a reminder to us all about the horror of war, but it is not a celebration. Too much happened to celebrate. I'll never forget the day the war ended, there was such relief. We'd been through so much, and suddenly there was hope again. I am visually impaired because of macular degeneration, and I've found invaluable friendship and support through Sight Scotland Veterans, regularly attending the charity's Linburn Centre in Wilkieston. Sight Scotland Veterans have been such a great support. They do so much for all of us, making sure we are not left feeling isolated at home. I love going to the Linburn Centre, it's like a second family to me, I go every Monday and Friday, and I really wouldn't miss it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hector at Sight Scotland Veterans' Linburn Centre in West Lothian. | Sight Scotland Since I lost my sight, the support I've had from Sight Scotland Veterans really has been incredible. They've helped me stay active and connected and I've made some wonderful friends. I feel so privileged to have a place like the Linburn Centre to come to each week. I can't believe I'm getting this opportunity to celebrate VE Day 80 in London. I will be joined on his trip by Andy Cole, a Sight Scotland Veterans' sports and partnership volunteer. Our travel, accommodation and event expenses are fully covered by the BBC as a gesture of appreciation for my wartime service and participation in the commemorative programme. When I heard about the offer, I was apprehensive at first, as I wasn't sure if I could manage the trip at my age. But Sight Scotland Veterans have helped arrange everything with the BBC and I have Andy coming with me. I never imagined at my age I'd be heading to London for something like this. I'm incredibly excited and so thankful to everyone who's made this happen.
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian war veteran says 'too much happened' to celebrate VE day
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian war veteran says that 'too much happened' during the Second World War for him to celebrate Victory in Europe day. Hector McDonald, 99, is set to travel to London for the BBC's commemorative VE day 90 concert on Thursday. He served in the Royal Navy from October 1943 until September 1946, and braved the Atlantic Ocean. Hector, from Livingston, said that VE day is a chance to remember the 'horror of war' - though he doesn't consider it a celebration. He added: "I'll never forget the day the war ended, there was such relief. We'd been through so much, and suddenly there was hope again." Hector is visually impaired because of macular degeneration, and has found support through Sight Scotland veterans. He said the group 'is like a second family' to him'. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Looking back on his time in the Royal Navy, he explained: "I was 18, and after just six weeks of training, I was sent to sea. "I served from 1943 to 1946, taking part in the Arctic Convoys and then served in the Pacific, including in the Philippines and Japan. When victory in Europe was declared, we were given two bottles of beer, but the war wasn't over for us. We still had to fight on in the Pacific. "We were just north of Tokyo when we heard the Japanese had surrendered. I attended victory parades in Sydney and Melbourne." (Image: Sight Scotland) Speaking on VE day, which is on May 8, he added: "It is hard to believe its 80 years ago since the war ended. VE day is a day to remember what happened and is a reminder to us all about the horror of war, but it is not a celebration. "Too much happened to celebrate. I'll never forget the day the war ended, there was such relief. We'd been through so much, and suddenly there was hope again." Hector will celebrate his 100th birthday in September, and is kicking off the celebrations early with his trip to London. He added: "I can't believe I'm getting this opportunity. "When I heard about the offer, I was apprehensive at first, as I wasn't sure if I could manage the trip at my age. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "But Sight Scotland Veterans have helped arrange everything with the BBC. I never imagined at my age I'd be heading to London for something like this. I'm incredibly excited and so thankful to everyone who's made this happen. "Sight Scotland Veterans have been such a great support. They do so much for all of us, making sure we are not left feeling isolated at home. I love going to the Linburn Centre, it's like a second family to me, I go every Monday and Friday, and I really wouldn't miss it. "Since I lost my sight, the support I've had from Sight Scotland Veterans really has been incredible. They've helped me stay active and connected and I've made some wonderful friends. I feel so privileged to have a place like the Linburn Centre to come to each week."
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Scots veteran, 99, who served as teen to attend VE Day 80 Concert in London
Hector McDonald, from Livingston, served in the Royal Navy between October 1943 and September 1946. A 99-year-old Scots navy veteran who served in World War Two as a teenage boy is to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day in London. Hector McDonald, from Livingston, will be travelling to the capital to attend the BBC's commemorative VE Day 80 Concert on May 8. The invitation comes as a heartfelt thank you after an interview Hector gave for a BBC segment on the upcoming celebrations - arranged by Sight Scotland Veterans which has supported Hector for over 10 years. He served in the Royal Navy between October 1943 and September 1946. During his time at sea, he braved the perilous conditions of the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Arctic Convoys, a vital but dangerous mission that helped sustain the Allied war effort. In recognition of his courage, Hector was awarded the Atlantic Star - a medal created to honour those who served in the freezing and treacherous northern seas during the Second World War. He later served in the Pacific, including operations in the Philippines and Japan. Hector recalled how when victory in E urope was declared, all seamen were given two bottles of beer. He said: 'I joined the Royal Navy when I was 18, and after just six weeks of training, I was sent to sea. I served from 1943 to 1946, taking part in the Arctic Convoys and then served in the Pacific, including in the Philippines and Japan. "When victory in Europe was declared, we were given two bottles of beer, but the war wasn't over for us. We still had to fight on in the Pacific. We were just north of Tokyo when we heard the Japanese had surrendered. I attended victory parades in Sydney and Melbourne." He continued: 'It is hard to believe it's been 80 years ago since the war ended. VE day is a day to remember what happened and is a reminder to us all about the horror of war, but it is not a celebration. Too much happened to celebrate. I'll never forget the day the war ended, there was such relief. We'd been through so much, and suddenly there was hope again.' Hector, who is visually impaired because of macular degeneration, has found invaluable friendship and support through Sight Scotland Veterans. He attends the charity's Linburn Centre in Wilkieston, West Lothian, every Monday and Friday. Hector said: 'Sight Scotland Veterans have been such a great support. They do so much for all of us, making sure we are not left feeling isolated at home. I love going to the Linburn Centre, it's like a second family to me, I go every Monday and Friday, and I really wouldn't miss it. "Since I lost my sight, the support I've had from Sight Scotland Veterans really has been incredible. They've helped me stay active and connected and I've made some wonderful friends. I feel so privileged to have a place like the Linburn Centre to come to each week.' Hector, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in September, will be joined on his trip to London by Andy Cole, a Sight Scotland Veterans' Sports and Partnership Volunteer. Hector said: 'I can't believe I'm getting this opportunity. When I heard about the offer, I was apprehensive at first, as I wasn't sure if I could manage the trip at my age. "But Sight Scotland Veterans have helped arrange everything with the BBC and I have Andy coming with me. I never imagined at my age I'd be heading to London for something like this. I'm incredibly excited and so thankful to everyone who's made this happen.' The 80th anniversary of VE Day marks a moment for the UK and Commonwealth to come together in honour of those who served during the Second World War. It commemorates the formal end of conflict in Europe on 8 May 1945, when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender. The 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) will take place in August 2025.
