...a feeling of tremendous at the loss of loved ones’

A lifeline for veterans who continue to serve the UK

forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

With commemorative events across the country having to be cancelled due to the lockdown for the coronavirus, the WRAC Association has invited female veterans nationwide to join a mass video call for a speech by its vice-president, Colonel Alison Brown, about the significance of VE Day at 8pm.

This will be followed by the playing of podcasts telling the stories of women in war and then a singalong to We’ll Meet Again at 9pm, supported by the Yorkshire Military Band.

Radio stations are being encouraged to play the Dame Vera Lynn song at the same time.

Betty says: “It’s absolutely maddening that we can’t have the commemorative events planned but this is a good alternative, I think.

“The WRAC Association is organising a Zoom singalong for

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May 8, which will be fun. I hope to take part if I can get linked up properly.

“I’ve never used Zoom before but I am hoping to have some help with it.

“It’s important that the public does remember the 75th anniversary of VE Day, because the sacrifices made to get there were quite incredible.

“I don’t think the present generation realises just how much people did give to keep the enemy out of Great Britain.” Betty feels the camaraderie being shown by most people during the current crisis is reminiscent of the war.

Her neighbours and friends have been shopping for her to shield her from the coronavirus.

She says: “The friendly atmosphere has spread since the start of this. It reminds me of the war days, everybody helping everyone else, in the main.

“There has been a tremendous feeling of camaraderie.”

AS the country prepares to markve Day, veterans are helping to tackle the greatest world crisis of modern times.

Staff at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) are making wooden pallets to transport medical supplies, and have been designated key workers so they can continue their work during lockdown.

BBMC, which has its main factory in Aylesford, Kent, is run by Royal British Legion Industries, a charity that has helped to provide housing and back-to-work schemes for veterans – and civilians

IT’S FINALLY OVER: The party went on around the world THE past is being brought to life as VE Day in Colour tells the story using newly recorded accounts and previously unseen footage, Black and white archive footage was upgraded to colour to give a vivid portrayal of the day. The film features excerpts of Winston Churchill’s speech including his famous line: “We have never seen a greater day than this.” Alongside the happy tales of street parties, there are the reflections of those losing loved ones. In one emotional account, Colin Mcclean reads an account of a party given by his grandfather: “One couple walked back to their house. They had found a telegram that was waiting for them. Can you imagine it? It informed Mr and Mrs Peters that their son Malcolm had been killed in an air crash the previous week and that telegraph reached them on that very day, and they didn’t find out until the evening.” Royals tell their tale. VE Day was a “sunburst of glory” after the “black and booming” days of the Second World War, Princess Margaret said. The Queen’s sister told how she wanted to join the Armed Services like Elizabeth was but held back because she was too young. The interview from 1995, in which she says, “I was rather kept at the back,” is featured in tonight’s show. Margaret, who was only nine when war broke out, said: “Everything had been so fraught, loud, black and booming. That’s why, of course, VE day was so wonderful -- a sunburst of glory.”