75 years after VE Day, veterans are enlisted to help Scotland remember

Appeal launched to trace Second World War veterans for landmark celebration Icelanders attacked the Americans. We had to go ashore to quell the riot

Myles Shandley was a button boy – a sailor who manned the button-shaped platforms at the top of the mast – and, just after VE Day, he and his crewmates were told by their captain to put on their dress uniforms, known as their “number ones”.

They were preparing to go ashore in Iceland to celebrate the end of the war in Europe, which had happened a few days earlier.

But instead of enjoying the festivities and their impending return home, Mr Shandley and his colleagues were called on to stand with local police to suppress a riot.

Mr Shandley, who spent three years at sea during the war, will be part of commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany.

He said: “We got all dressed up, ready to go ashore but when we got to the gangplank, there was a riot going on ashore.

“The Americans had marched through with the stars and stripes and playing all their tunes and the Icelanders attacked them. We had to go and quell the riot.”

Upon his arrival home, the father-of-four said he could see “big crowds on the shore” as the ship sailed up the Clyde – which he expected to be wellwishers celebrating their return.

But the crowds turned out to be American servicemen returning home on the Queen Mary.

His time in the armed forces was extended when he made the jump to the British Army after the war, going on to serve for another eight years.

Speaking on his experience at sea, Mr Shandley said: “I hated every minute of it.”

He said seven of his fellow sailors had to be taken ashore after being overcome by paranoia that U-boats were in the water, ready to strike.

Ministers are appealing for Second World War veterans to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe.

The Scottish Government’s Veterans’ Minister Graeme Dey has asked for surviving members of the armed forces, or anyone who played a part in the war effort, to be part of the commemorations.

While still a work in progress, the celebrations of the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945, is likely to include a parade and a concert in Edinburgh.

Veterans and their families have also been offered free travel and accommodation in the capital for the events.

The Scottish Government, working with Legion Scotland, knows of 25 veterans but is appealing for more to come forward.

Mr Dey said: “That’s the key message. It’s not a military parade or a military event – it’s about the veterans.

“We’re hoping the launch event will spread the word. It’s

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