11-05-2025
Cumbrian veteran attends Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
A Cumbrian veteran attended the national Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Mark Harding, from Wigton, was one of the guests of the Army Benevolent Fund who attended the commemorative service held at Westminster Abbey on May 8.
Hundreds of veterans, including Mark, attended the event which was also attended by the Royal Family.
Mark, who joined the Army at 19, was serving in the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment in Afghanistan in 2010 when he was shot by the Taliban.
Although he was told that he would never walk again, he has become a sportsman, a motivational speaker, and a fundraiser for military charities through his resilience and determination to honour fallen soldiers.
He said: "It's so important to remember VE Day and to think about the sacrifices made for our way of life. My great grandfather died at just 33 when his boat was sunk. Remembering VE Day helps to keep his and his comrades' memories alive."
Mark joined Harry Clark, a former soldier and winner of BBC 1's The Traitors, at the service to commemorate those who fought in the Second World War.
Harry served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for almost seven years, he left the Army after winning season two of BBC1's The Traitors.
He said: "I am honoured to have attended the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey with the Army Benevolent Fund to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It's a privilege to share this moment with the ABF's ambassadors, an amazing group of veterans, who have been through so much.
"Together we paid tribute to all those who served in World War II and especially those who died. So many were around my age when they went into action, and for my generation, it's hard to imagine what they experienced but it's so important that we remember. "
