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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."
BBC News
07-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
VE Day 80th anniversary: How is it being marked around the UK?
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe day, a key event at the end of WW2. On 8 May 1945 people all over the world celebrated Germany's surrender, which had been agreed the previous day. It comes ahead of VJ Day - Victory in Japan Day - on 15 August which commemorates the end of the year will be VE Day's 80th anniversary, with lots of exciting events planned from Monday 5 until the anniversary itself on Thursday 8 May. As events to mark the 75th anniversary were disrupted by the Covid pandemic, the celebrations will be even more special this year - here's a taster of what you can expect to see. 5 May A military procession is planned to take place from Whitehall, in central London, to Buckingham Palace. It will be followed by a flypast of current and historical military aircraft, including the famous Red Arrows. The union flag will be placed on the Cenotaph, on Whitehall - a national war memorial dedicated to those who died in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts are also due to be street parties and community gatherings across the country, including on board warship HMS Belfast in London! 6 May Did you know poppies are a symbol of remembrance? They are often worn to show respect for those who died as part of wars and other conflicts. At the Tower of London a special display of ceramic poppies is set to be installed. The new display will resemble a 'wound' at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today. Poppies will pour across the lawn overlooked by the ancient White Tower, where the red flowers will form a crater, with ripples flowing landmarks across the UK will be lit up, so there might even be one near you, you could go and see. 7 May On the evening of the 7 May 1945, people received a very special newsflash telling them that the next day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important historic moment, there will be a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster in central London. The Parliament Choir will be singing so you might see some famous faces from the world of UK politics as a part of it, and although it's not open to the public its likely to be on TV. 8 May A service will be held in Westminster Abbey as both a service of remembrance for those who died and a celebration of the end of the events will be brought to a close with a huge concert at the historic Horse Guards Parade and 10,000 members of the public will be able to get tickets. As well as musicians, there will be theatre and film stars to help tell the story of victory and the impact of the Second World War in elsewhere in London, at the Royal Albert Hall, the party atmosphere will continue with music, dancing and first-hand stories from people who were alive for VE back all the way back in 1945. Newsround will be in the thick of all the action so watch our bulletins to find out more.
