Latest news with #TaxiCharityforMilitaryVeterans
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
WW2 veteran, 99, says 'incredible friendship' with man, 28, 'stopped my nightmares'
A World War II veteran aged 99 has formed an incredible bond with a 28-year-old man whose great grandfather died at the very same battle his new 'best friend' survived A war veteran has told how his 'incredible friendship' with a 28-year-old, whose great grandfather died in the same battle as he survived, has stopped his nightmares. Don Turrell, aged 99, from Essex, was badly injured and repatriated back to the UK during World War II. For decades he didn't open up about his ordeal until he met Callum who encouraged him to talk about it. He'd met Callum Reid, 28, in Normandy during a visit to the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Callum was in the region to visit his great grandad's grave for the first time who was killed during World War II. The two hit it off immediately and they went on to become the very 'best friends'. The veteran told how the friendship has helped him heal from the 'hell on earth' he lived through during World War II. He said Callum encouraged him to talk about things he had buried for decades. 'We never spoke about the war, we'd come home on leave and never spoke about it with our families. But he encouraged me to talk about things and I haven't had a nightmare since,' he said. Don's older brother Leslie Turrell, 21, was killed on HMS Penelope in Anzio off the coast of Italy aged. His ship had been nicknamed the 'pepper pot' because it was hit so many times. The pair have now been pals for six years despite living on opposite sides of the UK but Callum cares for him during trips with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Don added: 'He's my best friend. I'm lost without him, put it that way. I miss him because I live on my own." Callum, who now lives in Scotland, said of their special relationship: 'It's helped, just having a chat. When he told me about the mortar bombing and how scared he was, it makes me understand what my great grandad would have experienced. It has given me a greater appreciation of what they went through and it makes me sad that he has experienced it.' Both Don and Callum's great grandfather Sg James Dargie, 33, were involved in the battle of Hill 112 in Normandy, a strategic position because of the vital view it provided. Don was wounded first on July 10, 1944, but survived during the battle for Eterville. At one stage he was under siege and took shelter and braced himself in a tree trunk, with his comrades trying to make themselves as small as possible. As the bombardment eased, he called out for people around him and only heard back from one man, who then went to get up and collapsed and died. Everyone around him was dead. 'I was in bed in hospital for three years after being wounded,' he said as his foot was nearly blown off and his left side and back were seriously injured. Chartered accountant Callum originally from Leeds explained his great grandad, Sgt James Dargie, died aged 33, six days later, trying to capture the same hill. He was in the 86th anti-tank regiment when he was killed on July 16th 1944 by a direct mortar hit. 'My grandma was nine years old when he died. I think that's why I am so passionate about what happened and the importance to learn," he said. 'I asked Don what it was like up there and he said it was like 'hell on earth' and another veteran told me it was 'the worst night of his life'." Five years ago Callum said how he took Don and 'introduced him to my great grandad" at his grave at St Manvieu cemetery where Don also has three friends buried. Callum said: 'I don't get emotional much but I was then because it was a moment I never thought I'd get to see. 'I'm so unbelievably lucky to have met Don, I do believe it was fate. I first met him in a bar in France and I was starstruck. He's now one of my best friends."
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Royal Mint VE Day coin: new commemorative 50p coins released
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The Mint is honouring 80 years of peace with the new coin, featuring a dove design 🕊️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... The Royal Mint has launched a new VE Day 50p coin to mark the 80th anniversary of WWII's end The coin features a dove of peace, a design first seen on a 1995 £2 coin It is available in various finishes, including silver and gold, with prices starting at £14.50 On May 8, 2025, a special gold edition will be minted for VE Day's anniversary Veterans Ron Horsey and Richard Pelzer helped strike the first coins at the Royal Mint The Royal Mint is releasing a new range of commemorative coins to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of the Second World War. A special edition 50p features a dove of peace and the inscription 'In peace goodwill', a tribute to a design that first appeared on a 1995 £2 coin created for the war's 50th anniversary. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The coins have been available to purchase from Thursday, May 1 via the Royal Mint's website, offered in a variety of finishes, including brilliant uncirculated, silver, and gold. On May 8, 2025 - VE Day's 80th anniversary - the Mint will also strike a special edition in gold. (Image: The Royal Mint) | The Royal Mint/PA Wire Prices for the VE Day 50p start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated coin, rising to £1,725 for the gold edition minted on May 8. A 10-coin VE Day 80th anniversary set will also be available, priced at £1,640. To celebrate the launch, the Royal Mint welcomed guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its South Wales site. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Among them were 98-year-old Ron Horsey and 101-year-old Richard Pelzer, both from Swansea and veterans of the Royal Engineers, who were given a behind-the-scenes tour and invited to take part in the coin striking process. Horsey said: 'I'm incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. 'I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans Dick Goodwin described the visit as 'a wonderful experience'. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.' The Mint is known for commemorating key moments in British history, with recent coin releases including a Red Arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p, and a D-Day 80th anniversary 50p.
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Coins to mark 80 years since VE day launched by Royal Mint
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 Commemorative coins honouring VE Day are being launched by the Royal Mint, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The VE (Victory in Europe) Day 50p coin design features a dove of peace. The coins are available to buy from the South Wales-based Mint from today (Thursday). The design originally appeared on a 1995 £2, marking 50 years since the end of the Second World War. The new coins, bearing the inscription 'In peace goodwill', will be available in a range of finishes, from brilliant uncirculated versions to silver and gold. On May 8 2025, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Mint will also be striking a special gold edition of the coin. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: The Royal Mint/PA Wire) To mark the launch of the new design, the Mint invited guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its premises. Veterans Ron Horsey, aged 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, who are both from Swansea and served with the Royal Engineers, had a behind-the-scenes tour of the manufacturing site in South Wales and were invited to take part in coin striking. Mr Horsey said: 'I'm incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. 'I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.' Vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans Dick Goodwin described the visit as 'a wonderful experience'. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.' The Mint has a tradition of marking significant events in history. Recent coins include a Red Arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p and an 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p. Prices for the new 50p coin will start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated version to £1,725 for a gold coin struck on May 8. A 10-coin 80th anniversary of VE Day set will also be available for £1,640.
North Wales Live
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Coins to mark 80 years since VE day launched by Royal Mint
Commemorative coins honouring VE Day are being launched by the Royal Mint, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The VE (Victory in Europe) Day 50p coin design features a dove of peace. The coins are available to buy from the South Wales-based Mint from today (Thursday). The design originally appeared on a 1995 £2, marking 50 years since the end of the Second World War. The new coins, bearing the inscription 'In peace goodwill', will be available in a range of finishes, from brilliant uncirculated versions to silver and gold. On May 8 2025, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Mint will also be striking a special gold edition of the coin. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now To mark the launch of the new design, the Mint invited guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its premises. Veterans Ron Horsey, aged 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, who are both from Swansea and served with the Royal Engineers, had a behind-the-scenes tour of the manufacturing site in South Wales and were invited to take part in coin striking. Mr Horsey said: 'I'm incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. 'I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.' Vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans Dick Goodwin described the visit as 'a wonderful experience'. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.' The Mint has a tradition of marking significant events in history. Recent coins include a Red Arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p and an 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p. Prices for the new 50p coin will start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated version to £1,725 for a gold coin struck on May 8. A 10-coin 80th anniversary of VE Day set will also be available for £1,640.
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
Veterans Visit Royal Mint to Strike VE Day Coin
The Royal Mint has announced the launch of a new commemorative coin honouring Victory in Europe (VE) Day, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To mark the occasion, The Royal Mint welcomed two special guests to site, from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, a long-standing organisation that supports veterans through social events, trips to the continent for acts of commemoration and memorable experiences. WWII veterans Ron Horsey, 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, who both served with the Royal Engineers, enjoyed a behind the scenes tour at the manufacturing site in Llantrisant and had the honour of striking one of the first silver VE Day coins. As Ron and Richard, both from Swansea, proudly showed off their own medals, Royal Mint employee Rhiannon Baldwin spoke to them about the processes and precision that goes into making medals at The Royal Mint, showcasing some examples awarded to active-service personnel like the Military forces such as the Defence Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Some of the most prestigious military medals produced on-site include the George Cross, the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross; and the Military Cross, made at The Royal Mint since its creation in 1914. The veterans then had the opportunity to strike the first VE Day silver commemorative coins. Veteran Ron Horsey said: 'I'm incredibly proud to have been invited to The Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others and to be able to strike this design representing peace onto a coin all these years later is truly moving. I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.' Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, Dick Goodwin, said: 'It was an honour to bring Ron and Richard to the Royal Mint today and I know how thrilled they were to be invited to strike the first of the new VE Day coins. It was a wonderful experience and we want to thank the Royal Mint for looking after our WWII veterans so well.' Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: 'The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins. 'The coin is not only a tribute to history but also a powerful addition to any coin collection. Collecting coins such as this is a meaningful way to preserve and honour our nation's heritage, allowing collectors and families to connect with the stories of courage, sacrifice and unity that shaped modern Britain. This VE Day coin serves as a timeless symbol of national pride offering a tangible way to commemorate those who fought for peace.' The VE Day 50p will be available in a range of finishes from Brilliant Uncirculated to precious metals editions including silver and gold. The powerful design is inspired by the unity and relief that swept the nation on 8th May 1945, featuring the 'Dove of Peace' by artist John Mills. The design depicts mankind's desire for a peaceful world – in his own words, 'a symbol of aspiring peace, the calm, bountiful and optimistic image of a dove'. The design originally appeared on the 1995 £2 marking the 50 Years End of the Second World War. The inscription reads 'IN PEACE GOODWILL' a quote taken from Winston Churchill. The coin will also appear in specially curated collector sets alongside 1945-dated circulated coins. On 8 May 2025, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, The Royal Mint will also be striking a special gold edition of the coin featuring an '80' privy mark. The Royal Mint has a long-standing tradition of marking significant events in British history – events that changed the course of history, and the VE Day coin is the latest in that legacy. Recent coins include the Red Arrows 50p, Stories of the Second World War 50p and the 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p.
