Just been watching on TV for an hour and saw your piece Ron, right on time! You spoke so well The Queen is amazing, how she keeps going. The British certainly know how to present these elaborate ceremonies.
I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting up with my Dad's former comrade Charles Ward (London Irish Rifles and SOE, 1939-46) and his wife Margaret (FANYs and SOE, 1943 -46) this morning in Westminster and also had a delightful conversation with Walter Hart of RAMC (1939 - 1946). A remarkable trio amongst so many others...all unsung..my Mum and Dad were also both looking down and smiling in poignant reflection of that VE Day day in May 1945 when they were in Udine and Whitehall respectively... best ps and also thanks to PC Redman for getting us through the crowds beforehand..
Ron, Thanks for a thoughtful insight on the BBC's VE70 coverage this morning. Great respect and gratitude to you and all the other veterans who secured the peace we enjoy today. Our remembrance too of those who didn't come home having made the ultimate sacrifice. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
Have to admit that thanks to some very clever editing (and quite a bit of cutting) the BBC managed to get most of my message across. I am indebted to them for not cutting out the few words I said about my dear late brother Jack. I wonder how many viewers spotted the words cut into the grass at Forty Hall. They said "Lest we forget !" Ron
Have to apologise Ron, I missed you on TV this morning due to other commitments. I'll look and see if I can get it on repeat somewhere.
See here Ron at 24 minutes 40 seconds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05v2dxn/ve-day-70-5-the-nation-remembers
I watched the whole of the BBC tv coverage of the VE 70th anniversary this morning and was so pleased to see Ron - well done for a lovely interview. My heart and thanks went out to all the veterans who were able to be there and my thoughts then turned to those who sadly never made it home. You were ALL heroes - thank you every one! I will never forget. Carol
On Friday 8th May 2015 at 9:32pm a VE70 Beacon was lit in Coronation Park, Launceston by Royal Naval veteran Edwin Pearce, Youth Council member George Bairns and Mayor Dave Gordon. More of the event with Launceston Town Band can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p84GNdkfMQI
On Friday night the 8th May at approximately 9.30 pm the Sparrows Nest Beacon in Lowestoft was lit. It was well attended by the British Legion, Army, Air Force Cadets and the public, there was several veterans there to. I did get to speak to one a Mr Harold J Whitewood who was in the RAF a fascinating man who spent a lot of time around the Mediterranean especially Malta. The weather started out very wet but just for a moment between 9/10pm the rain stopped for the celebration. The Brass Band entertained everyone with music from the 1940's and the movies. David
So my dear friend Tom Canning said he was not sure whether to wear his medals and blazer for Church for the VE Day anniversary. So I told Trooper Canning to get on parade. After all my father JB Smethurst and uncle AB Smethurst MC were officers .... So proud to know Tom and we were introduced some 7 years ago via the Forum
I find it rather a pity that my picture published by Susan came out badly ….BUT……is there no one amongst us who can rectify the situation and make some form of comment……where are all the computer experts …? Cheers