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Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
LGBT ban victims take part in official VE Day celebrations for the first time
They'll take part in a service at Westminster Abbey, and in a concert in the evening on nearby Horse Guards Parade Veterans affected by the ban on LGBT people in the military will take part in official VE Day Commemorations today for the first time. They'll take part in a service at Westminster Abbey, and in a concert in the evening on nearby Horse Guards Parade. They include Vito Ward, who was discharged in 1970 from the Women's Royal Naval Service for being gay. She said: "This is a very special occasion for me as a newly reinstated veteran. If anyone had said to me I'd be included in official VE Day events - even ten years ago- I'd never have believed them." It comes the day after Lord Etherton, the first openly gay High Court judge, who led the government's damning review into the ban, died aged 73. As many as 20,000 armed forces personnel were jailed, dismissed for their sexuality or outed against their will before the rule on service was lifted in 2000. Then-PM Rishi Sunak finally said sorry last July, in a victory for campaigners and the charity Fighting With Pride - with victims promised compensation. Veterans affected by the ban are being urged to come forward to claim payouts of up to £70,000. Ms Ward, now in her eighties, added: "I was devastated after being so unfairly kicked out of the career and military family I suited so well. "So being part of today, recognised for what I did and could have continued to give to my country, is massive. "I hope it will help others who suffered under the gay ban to come forward so they get the justice and money they're owed under the government's redress scheme."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I partied outside Buckingham Palace on VE Day
A great-grandmother who partied outside Buckingham Palace on VE Day says people will "never understand" what the day was like. Margaret Johns, 99, was working as a nurse in London when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies, ending almost six years of conflict in Europe, on 8 May 1945. Mrs Johns caught the Tube to central London and partied outside the palace, staying up late into the night. "They should have given us the day off the next day," said Mrs Johns, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. Mrs Johns' education had come to an abrupt end at the age of 16, despite being a good student. For two years, at the peak of World War Two, she worked at the RAE in Aberporth, Ceredigion, testing ammunition. She then went to London in 1944 for her nurse's training and worked through blackouts and bombings in London hospitals for five years before returning to Wales, continuing to work into her 80s. Mrs Johns recalled VE Day [Victory in Europe Day], which saw her catch the Tube to central London and go to Buckingham Palace. "You can never understand what VE Day was like unless you experienced it," she said. 'It's the end - we're going home' Jean Rees, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, also partied in London on VE Day [Royal Navy/BBC] Jean Rees was part of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) - known as the Wrens - stationed in Eastleigh, Hampshire, during World War Two. The 101-year-old, who now lives in Swansea, was conscripted at the age of 19 and her job was to welcome the new recruits, issue their uniforms and offer support to the often terrified young people. Mrs Rees remembered being known as the "rum boson" onboard HM Raven as she had control over which of "the boys" could have a tipple, and which were underage. "The Wrens didn't get it... which wasn't fair," she said. "But life in the Wrens was wonderful." She met her late husband - Bill Rees from Swansea who was in the Royal Air Force - in an officer's club and he proposed the same evening. The pair got married the following year and lived happily together until his death in 2015. Mrs Rees said she had vivid memories of the war, such as the black skies of D-Day in June 1944 and helping returning soldiers find clothes, food and somewhere to stay. But she also recalled the elation on VE Day, adding: "News went round the camp very quickly and we were given leave to celebrate, so it was up to London. "When we got there, there were thousands [of people], of all nationalities. Everybody was singing. "After that, we all went back and began to think 'it's the end, we're going home'." 'I was no hero' Joseph Gibson recalls being in the desert on VE Day, celebrating with a can of beer and a tin of cigarettes [BBC] Joseph Gibson, a great-grandfather who lives in Hawarden, Flintshire, was a so-called Desert Rat during the war - a group of British soldiers who helped defeat the Germans in North Africa. His tour of duty took him to Egypt and he later served in the Middle East. Mr Gibson, 99, said the conditions - particularly the heat - were extremely difficult, adding he was "frightened to death". He recalled being in the desert on VE Day and being given "a can of beer and a tin of cigarettes" to celebrate. He said it was "wonderful" to return home, but tinged with the sadness of knowing many friends he made along the way were not so lucky. "I was just a soldier, a normal soldier, like thousands and thousands of others," he said. "I was no hero." 'The forgotten conscripts' Emrys Hughes says he got little recognition for a "very dangerous" role in the war effort [BBC] But VE Day did not mark the end of wartime service for everyone. Emrys Hughes, 98, was one of the 48,000 so-called Bevin Boys - young men conscripted to work down the mines to help the British effort for coal, instead of being called up for military service. Dubbed the "forgotten conscripts", they worked long days doing dirty, hard labour. But Mr Hughes said he received little respect from the general public, who often treated the Bevin Boys as though they were dodging the war. "Everyone thought I was a conscientious objector," he recalled. He grew up in the village of Rhostryfan, Gwynedd, and when he was old enough to fight in 1943 he had hoped to get a place in the RAF. "But I was told my services were no longer required," he said. "You had no choice, you had to go to the mines." Unlike many of those serving in the British military, there was no de-mob after VE Day for the Bevin Boys, with many forced to stay on in the mines until 1948. There was also no military pension, no guarantees they could return to their previous jobs, or compensation for disabling injuries underground. It was not until 1995 that the Bevin Boys were officially recognised as veterans by the UK government. "It showed we did something during the war... Everybody did their bit." 'I never really recovered' John Eskdale was stationed in Australia on VE day and said, for him and many others, service continued on as normal [Royal Navy/BBC] John Eskdale, a 100-year-old former Royal Marine, was in Australia on VE Day, working as a driver on a project building air bases between Australia and Japan. For Mr Eskdale, as for many other military personnel, the war did not end until Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) in August 1945. He did not leave the Royal Marines, due to injury, until 1948. "It's very emotional and hard, looking back," said Mr Eskdale, originally from Bridgend. He worked on the HMS Charybdis in 1943 when it was torpedoed by German boats, killing more than 400 men. He spent "a harrowing five hours in the freezing water" before becoming the last of 107 crew members to be rescued. "I never really recovered from this experience," he said. Mr Eskdale said he hoped no-one "ever had to witness" the horrors that those who served in World War Two experienced. He urged people to "take life as it comes", because "you never know what's around the corner". Additional reporting by George Herd, Iolo Cheung, Sarah Easedale and Greg Davies
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prince William's true character is clear as he shares moment with son Louis
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 As the 80th anniversary of VE Day celebrations kicked off yesterday, a tender moment was captured between Prince William and his son Louis. A heartwarming clip, which quickly spread across social media platforms, showed Louis, who celebrated his seventh birthday last month, brushing off his father's shoulder. He looked like he was getting the future king ready for his appearance in uniform. Touched by the gesture, one social media user tweeted: " looking after his dad,". Another person commented online: "Prince Louis dusting off his papa's uniform. Such a sweet little kid." A third agreed, saying: "Prince Louis rubbing Prince William's shoulder, so adorable!". It wasn't just Prince Louis who was praised following the adorable interaction. People think the Prince of Wales showed his true character with how he reacted to the gesture. A commenter said: "Watching Prince Louis tapping William on the shoulder while William was talking to a gentleman to his side. Just like all kids! And just like all good parents, William acknowledged Louis with his hand touching him, ('hang on a minute son') but continued his conversation." The pair were accompanied by Princess Catherine, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, making it an family affair with the party of five sat among veterans during the ceremonies by the Queen Victoria Memorial. Moments later, Prince Louis became the centre of attention again as he amusingly imitated his elder brother George, 11. As a gust of wind hit the Royals, George had to restyle his hair – smoothly sweeping it back to suit his side parting. But Louis, who has previously captured hearts with his comedic expressions at Royal events, immediately mimicked George, in what appeared to be gentle ribbing about his preoccupation with his appearance. "Oh Prince Louis so funny without trying!" exclaimed a social media user in reaction. Another observed: "Louis is almost trolling George!". And a third commenter wrote: "I love it! He's so cheeky." Later in the day, the King and Queen Consort held a Tea Party at Buckingham Palace for veterans and individuals from the Second World War era. Attendees included British and Commonwealth military veterans, former members of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRENs), Special Operations Executive agents, and those who made significant contributions domestically during the war, alongside their families and caretakers. Queen Camilla is set to visit the renowned ceramic poppy display at the Tower of London today (May 6). On Wednesday, a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey will be attended by the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent. The King and Queen are also partaking in a live celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade to wrap up the national VE Day commemorations. The event will feature music performances from the era, intertwined with the stories of veterans from the Second World War.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former Wren, 100, put cardboard in her shoes to get into Edinburgh naval base
One of the last surviving Wrens who fought in the Second World War has told how she put cardboard in her shoes so she was tall enough to join the service. Dorothea Barron, aged 100, said she was "dying to get involved" in the war effort, joining the Women's Royal Naval Service after leaving school, serving at a base at HMS Hopetoun in Port Edgar as a visual signaller. In an interview with the Big Issue magazine, she said: "I'd tell my younger self that life is a continual battle. You've just got to fight it, you won't get anywhere if you succumb. That's what life has taught me. I'm afraid you've got to have fighting spirit all your life. READ MORE: Edinburgh's Sir Chris Hoy forced to leave hotel room at 4am after late-night blunder READ MORE: Inspiring Edinburgh pensioner hosts his first ever art exhibition aged 88 "Never envy anyone, just stand up and make the best of what you have. I was dying to get involved but wasn't tall enough to join the Wrens. "We had to be 5ft 3in and I'm only 5ft 2in. So, I cut cardboard and shoved it in the heels of my shoes to push my height up, and I had this great mop of hair that I brushed up high. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "They realised I wasn't tall enough but could see how keen I was and took pity on me. I would have got in somehow. I'd have done anything to get in." She added: "We were a group of girls who were desperate not to let the Nazis in. I was so enthusiastic. It was very fulfilling work. We felt we were contributing to the peace of the world." Ms Barron said there are still not enough opportunities for women, and men still have the upper hand. But she added: "Men still underestimate women, our abilities and courage. "Women have to get on with things and look after the family. I admire women tremendously but most men are mollycoddled these days. I have nothing but contempt for people who are happy to risk other people's lives for their own self-glorification. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "Because men start wars, women don't. Women are much more sensible and have to pick up the pieces and make life happen again." The full interview is in the latest issue of the magazine, on sale from Monday.
Edinburgh Live
05-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Former Wren, 100, put cardboard in her shoes to get into Edinburgh naval base
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 One of the last surviving Wrens who fought in the Second World War has told how she put cardboard in her shoes so she was tall enough to join the service. Dorothea Barron, aged 100, said she was "dying to get involved" in the war effort, joining the Women's Royal Naval Service after leaving school, serving at a base at HMS Hopetoun in Port Edgar as a visual signaller. In an interview with the Big Issue magazine, she said: "I'd tell my younger self that life is a continual battle. You've just got to fight it, you won't get anywhere if you succumb. That's what life has taught me. I'm afraid you've got to have fighting spirit all your life. "Never envy anyone, just stand up and make the best of what you have. I was dying to get involved but wasn't tall enough to join the Wrens. "We had to be 5ft 3in and I'm only 5ft 2in. So, I cut cardboard and shoved it in the heels of my shoes to push my height up, and I had this great mop of hair that I brushed up high. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "They realised I wasn't tall enough but could see how keen I was and took pity on me. I would have got in somehow. I'd have done anything to get in." She added: "We were a group of girls who were desperate not to let the Nazis in. I was so enthusiastic. It was very fulfilling work. We felt we were contributing to the peace of the world." Ms Barron said there are still not enough opportunities for women, and men still have the upper hand. But she added: "Men still underestimate women, our abilities and courage. "Women have to get on with things and look after the family. I admire women tremendously but most men are mollycoddled these days. I have nothing but contempt for people who are happy to risk other people's lives for their own self-glorification. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "Because men start wars, women don't. Women are much more sensible and have to pick up the pieces and make life happen again." The full interview is in the latest issue of the magazine, on sale from Monday.
